Go on... show us your Barung!!!

[Battara]

Regarding restoration, I made the ivory tail from scratch and the silver nail that helps keep it in place. Also I re-attached the middle ivory plug on top and refitted the blade and pommel.

Regarding attribution, this style of barong (and especially the okir) are Maranao. There are some other examples (which I would have to look up). It is true that the Maranao are not generally known for their barongs, I think this is a later development, like in the early 20th century. Is the blade Maranao or Sulu? - will have to look into that.

[Battara]

Here are some pre-restoration pictures of the pommel.

[Indio_Ira]

Originally Posted by Battara

Here are some pre-restoration pictures of the pommel.

Wow, thank you for sharing this! You did a great job with the restoration.

It was my first Barong so I am very happy with it.

[Ian]

Indio_Ira,

I think your blade is of Sulu manufacture but the dress is distinctly Maranao in the style of silverwork on the hilt and the composition of the scabbard. The Sulu origin of the blade can be deduced from the area of maximum width of the blade (shown by the rectangular outline on the attached picture), which less than halfway towards the tip. Blades from Palawan and Zamboanga have more distal areas of maximum width. The different geometries confer different handling characteristics.

Ian

[CharlesS]

These are my two latest...

[Indio_Ira]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

These are my two latest...

Awesome pieces!! Specially the ivory ball pommel hilt.

What’s the provenance of the top Barong with a larger width blade?

[kino]

Charles, that faceted hilt is uncommon, very nice. What’s even better is the scabbard, amazing wood grain. What’s on the reverse side of the scabbard?

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Indio_Ira

What’s the provenance of the top Barong with a larger width blade?

Generally when I see octagonal hilts and ferrules I think of Sulu, but I have also learned not to be to "rules" oriented when identifying a piece's origin.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Indio_Ira

Awesome pieces!! Specially the ivory ball pommel hilt.

A ball pommel barong had been on my wish list for 20 years. I knew they existed, though quite rare. I even had trouble convincing some collectors that they did exist. This one, being with that hilt, is just that much more special. The balance and heft of the piece is amazing. It is very heavy. The scabbard is made for it, but is later to the barong.

Now there is one more style of ball pommel barong on my list...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

These are my two latest...

Both are beautiful and very rare Charles, congrats!

Regards,
Detlef

[kino]

A Barung that has a similar pommel construction to IndioIra’s. The dovetailed crest reminds me of a Torogan’s panolong

[kai]

Hello Jose,

Thanks for the resto details - well done!

Regarding attribution, this style of barong (and especially the okir) are Maranao. There are some other examples (which I would have to look up). It is true that the Maranao are not generally known for their barongs, I think this is a later development, like in the early 20th century. Is the blade Maranao or Sulu? - will have to look into that.

Any additional insight appreciated - especially pics of any relatively early examples!

The late 20th/21st century "barong" from Marawi seem quite aimed at the international collector's market including local antique and curio/souvenir shops (as is much of the other blade production as well).

These latter examples usually seem to come with blades resembling the Palawan version rather than traditional Sulu shapes. Given the diversity of antique Moro blades, it would be good to establish if there possibly were any indigeneous barung-like blades around in Maranao or Maguindanao cultures, too.

Regards,
Kai