Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 3:
This is a classic sword of the Moro people of the southern Philippines and of the Sulu Sultanatearea called a barong. These swords have a distinctive form that is specific to this region of SouthEast Asia and the southern Philippines, though it is believed that they are related to theIndonesian badik knife, though in a greatly expanded and enlarged form.The barong has a distinct leaf shaped blade which is an effective cutting and slicing form, andmay be used for stabbing depending on the profile the smith develops. Barong blades are oftenthick and heavy with the weight aiding in the slicing capability of this sword. Older blades canrange from small lengths of 8" upwards to 22" which is uncommon. In some cases barong bladesare also patterned in lamellar patterns and in rare examples with twistcore iron. Some bladeswere also known to either have been traded from China, and are marked with a series of Chinesecharacters, or were marked by Moro smiths as a mark of quality with pseudo-marks which areunintelligible. Especially high quality barong were owned by Moro Datus who led tribesagainst successive invasions from the Spanish to the Americans, and were only ultimatelydefeated in the early 20th century through overwhelming American firepower.The handles are simple in design except in the pommel which in some examples is a flamboyantinterpretation of the cockatua with a long metal ferrule (usually made of silver or fine patternedhardwood). The ferrule will often also have lacquered and braided natural fiber rings to aid inthe grip. Cockatuas tended to be made of banati wood, however on higher end barongsbelonging to those of the upper classes rarer materials were utilized. The highest quality barongswould also have very elaborate carved junggayan, meaning (elongated) cockatuas, while simplerexamples would have vestigial cockatua motifs.This example in the Schmiedt Collection of fine quality and likely a Datu’s barong. The hilt iswell carved in the jungayyan cockatua pattern in beautiful patterned wood, remaining in nearlyperfect condition with fine ukkil or okir pattern carvings. The ferrule is made of silver and long, indicating a Sulu Moro example, as opposed to a Yakan form which tended to have shorterferrules. The blade of classic barong profile, with a thick spine and showing signs of lamellarpatterning.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 25" Blade Length : 16 1/4"References:1. Cato, R. (1996) Moro swords. Graham Brash: Singapore2. Barados, D., (1995) Land of the Morning: Treasures of the Philippines, San Francisco Craft &Folk Museum, 1995.3. Casal, G. et al, (1981) The People and Art of the Philippines, UCLA Museum of CulturalHistory4. Pigafetta, A. (2010). PIGAFETTA’S ACCOUNT OF MAGELLAN’S VOYAGE. In H. Stanley (Ed.), First Voyage Round the World by Magellan: Translated from the Accounts of Pigafetta andOther Contemporary Writers (Cambridge Library Collection (Hakluyt First Series, pp. 33)163). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press5. Combes, F. (1667) Historia de Mindanao y Joló, por el p. Francisco Comb’s … Obra publicadaen Madrid en 1667, y que ahora con la colaboración del p. Pablo Pastells … sacanuevamente á luz W. E. Retana. Madrid: [Viuda de M. Minuesa de los Rios]6. Krieger, H. W. (1926). The collection of primitive weapons and armor of the Philippineislands in the United States National museum. Washington: Govt. Print. Off..7. Macao Museum of Art. (2007). History of Steel in East Asia. Macao Museum of Art. Macau Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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