Interesting Barong for Comment.

kai · 11th January 2019, 08:27 PM

Hello Drac,

Quote:

I cleaned the pommel with an oil solution; I rubbed the surface with a clean cloth and the polish. I am wondering as to what you think of as being an uneven surface on the side and top of the pommel

The striped appearance is fine - may not have been the most traditional preference for selecting wood though (if kamagong was used, it usually was only the darkest pieces while banati was usually selected for its chatoyance and burl).

I've marked the apparently weird looking surfaces in the pics in red (chipped areas in green). It may only be a lighting issue though.

Regards,
Kai

Spunjer · 11th January 2019, 10:54 PM

i'm still not following what you're referring to, Kai. so are you saying that the handle and scabbard are not original with the blade?

Kino, brah, Jolibee is fine dining lol. whatchu talking about?

drac2k: yeah, the bidding process was buggy, although i was lucky to snag a few of what i wanted. the barung, especially. talk about that, i was surprised a similar barung went for 2k!

drac2k · 12th January 2019, 03:57 AM

Kai,
On the red circles, it is lighting, but on the green circle, there is a chip and a piece about 1/16" split off and that is why you cannot see the scroll work. Great eyes, I missed that one myself.

kai · 12th January 2019, 06:13 PM

Hello Drac,

Quote:

On the red circles, it is lighting

Great, that eases things. In real life, I'd check the surfaces under magnification; higher magnification can even reveal tool marks, etc.

Regards,
Kai

kai · 12th January 2019, 06:33 PM

Hello Ron,

Quote:

i'm still not following what you're referring to, Kai. so are you saying that the handle and scabbard are not original with the blade?

Yup, that's my hunch: This blade may very well be 19th c. (can't judge wear, profile, etc. from pics to support this); the long ferrule (possibly the additional silver bands) and the wooden base of the grip area probably, too.

The pommel still gives me weird vibes, especially from the craftsmanship (as perceived from the pics) like the carved ukkil and fit of the inlay.

With a status barung I'd expect good quality narra wood for the scabbard; even if the wood choice got influenced by a limited budget, the carving does seem more like 20th c. to me.

Regards,
Kai

Spunjer · 12th January 2019, 08:12 PM

ok, i see what you're saying.

i should've looked more closely on this particular piece i reckon. but like i said, i saw the inlay on the blade and that's all it took. i guess at that point, a cursory look at the overall status of the sword and checked for looseness, and everything checked out. meaning it went straight to my want list. not to say it changed my perception. glad to know it went to someone from this forum.
Drac2k, are you bringing that to Baltimore?

drac2k · 12th January 2019, 09:34 PM

The Barong is going into the collection and it will be hibernating there for many years(hopefully), with a barong that has a similar centipede blade design.
Hope to see you in Baltimore!

11th January 2019, 10:54 PM	#2
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	i'm still not following what you're referring to, Kai. so are you saying that the handle and scabbard are not original with the blade? Kino, brah, Jolibee is fine dining lol. whatchu talking about? drac2k: yeah, the bidding process was buggy, although i was lucky to snag a few of what i wanted. the barung, especially. talk about that, i was surprised a similar barung went for 2k!

12th January 2019, 03:57 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	Kai, On the red circles, it is lighting, but on the green circle, there is a chip and a piece about 1/16" split off and that is why you cannot see the scroll work. Great eyes, I missed that one myself.

12th January 2019, 08:12 PM	#6
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	ok, i see what you're saying. i should've looked more closely on this particular piece i reckon. but like i said, i saw the inlay on the blade and that's all it took. i guess at that point, a cursory look at the overall status of the sword and checked for looseness, and everything checked out. meaning it went straight to my want list. not to say it changed my perception. glad to know it went to someone from this forum. Drac2k, are you bringing that to Baltimore?

12th January 2019, 09:34 PM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	The Barong is going into the collection and it will be hibernating there for many years(hopefully), with a barong that has a similar centipede blade design. Hope to see you in Baltimore!