Knife (Barong) with Sheath
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Steel, wood, horn, ivory
Dimensions
L. with sheath 25 1/4 in. (64.1 cm); L. without sheath 23 3/4 in. (60.3 cm); L. of blade 15 3/4 in. (40 cm); W. 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 13.4 oz. (833.5 g); Wt. of sheath 7.1 oz. (201.3 g)
Classification
Knives
Culture
Philippine, Mindanao
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.891a, b
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Knife (Barong) Sheath* hails from the Philippine island of Mindanao, crafted by an unknown artist during the 18th–19th century. Exemplifying the region's masterful arms and armor tradition, the barong is a distinctive leaf-shaped blade weapon, prized by Moro warriors for its balance of lethality and beauty. Measuring 25¼ inches with its sheath, it features a 15¾-inch steel blade, paired with a hilt of intricately worked wood, horn, and—materials that highlight the artisan's skill in combining functionality with ornamentation. In Mindanao's vibrant cultural landscape, the baron...