Archaic Moro barung

Sajen · 7th July 2023, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Comgratulations on such a great barung. That's unusually long for an early barung.

Thank you Ian!

Funnily I've purchased it once by a German auction house as single bidder.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 8th July 2023, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Thank you Ian!

Funnily I've purchased it once by a German auction house as single bidder.

Regards,
Detlef

Detlef,

I think there has been a lack of general knowledge until recently about these archaic styles of barung and an undervaluing of them by the market. They are rather "plain" compared with some later examples, and maybe not considered very desirable. As I noted already, the style of hilt is one of my favorites and I think it is a beautiful example of Moro art and craftmanship. However, with increasing awareness of these older forms, the days of finding "sleepers" may be coming to an end (like archaic kris and twist core examples, which are now much more expensive than 10-15 years ago).

In the recent auction where I purchased the one I posted at the head of this thread there was an early 20th C barung with a fancier carved pommel that went for the same price.

Ian · 16th July 2023, 07:03 AM

Another example of an old style hilt, with a wide pommel but abbreviated beak and crest. This one also has a narrow horn ring at the end of the punto, similar to another example in post 3 above. Such a horn ring or spacer is uncommon in my experience.

.

Copycat · 16th July 2023, 08:40 AM

Nice examples of plain barongs / barungs. Plain edged weapons are charming if the quality of its intended purpose are up to standard.

Posting mine. Not sure if it's Moro origin. It's plain but the quality of it's steel is one of the best in my collection. Very hard, yet not brittle. The thickness of the base almost 1,5 cm. Solid hilt. Good grip.

Ian · 16th July 2023, 03:27 PM

Hi Copycat,

Nice old barung. The blade looks a little more forward weighted than usually found on Sulu blades. Also, the hilt does not look like it is of Sulu origin, although the "crest" area of the pommel is missing which makes it a bit more difficult to identify.

Copycat · 16th July 2023, 05:18 PM

Hi Ian,

Thank you. The tail is almost non existent and we can only speculate the crest area.

Other clues are:
- the use of horn on the hilt
- style of rope binding on the hilt

16th July 2023, 07:03 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Another example of an old style hilt, with a wide pommel but abbreviated beak and crest. This one also has a narrow horn ring at the end of the punto, similar to another example in post 3 above. Such a horn ring or spacer is uncommon in my experience. . Attached Images

16th July 2023, 08:40 AM	#4
Copycat Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 39	Nice examples of plain barongs / barungs. Plain edged weapons are charming if the quality of its intended purpose are up to standard. Posting mine. Not sure if it's Moro origin. It's plain but the quality of it's steel is one of the best in my collection. Very hard, yet not brittle. The thickness of the base almost 1,5 cm. Solid hilt. Good grip. Attached Images

16th July 2023, 03:27 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Hi Copycat, Nice old barung. The blade looks a little more forward weighted than usually found on Sulu blades. Also, the hilt does not look like it is of Sulu origin, although the "crest" area of the pommel is missing which makes it a bit more difficult to identify. Last edited by Ian; 16th July 2023 at 03:49 PM.

16th July 2023, 05:18 PM	#6
Copycat Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 39	Hi Ian, Thank you. The tail is almost non existent and we can only speculate the crest area. Other clues are: - the use of horn on the hilt - style of rope binding on the hilt