20th C. Philippines Iron & Copper Gunong w/ Sheath

**Originally Listed At $250**

Southeast Asia, Philippines, Mindanao (also Southern Philippines) region, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A forged-iron personal dagger known as a gunong which is a condensed version of the kalis sword, the Filipino version of the Indonesian kris or keris. The broad, double-edged blade has a gentle wavy profile bearing sharpened edges and a pointed tip, incised foliate forms on the shoulder and tip, and a narrow strip of inlaid copper in the center. The bulbous handle as well as the engraved sheath panels are shaped from copper with 30% nickel. Size (w/ sheath): 2.6" W x 19.8" H (6.6 cm x 50.3 cm); (blade): 14" L (35.6 cm)

For an example of a 19th century gunong, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 36.25.871a, b.

Provenance: private Little Rock, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Don Christensen collection, acquired in the 1960s and 1970s

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#155782
Condition Report: Upper cap on sheath is removable. Minor abrasions to sheath, blade, and handle, with light encrustations, and softening to some finer details. Nice patina throughout.