Sword (Barong)
1850–1916
- Medium
- Blade: metal; handle: metal with silver foil and repoussé work; pommel: ivory and carabao horn
- Dimensions
- Overall: 65.5 cm (25 13/16 in.); Blade: 42.2 cm (16 5/8 in.)
- Genre
- arms and armor
- Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Styles
Tags
Philippines, Mindanao, Sulu Archipelago
About
This sword has a broad, leaf-shaped blade characteristic of the Sulu Archipelago. Its profile suggests it was used for powerful cut-and-slash fighting. The hilt terminates in an exceptionally long ivory cockatoo (kakatua) pommel, carved with delicate okir scrollwork. This was an object of authority, status, and ceremonial presence within Tausug culture, probably owned by a member of the datu ruling class.