Where does this sheath come from?

[Sajen]

I won a lot with three keris at a German auction. One of them is this one in the picture. Where is this scabbard style from?

Thank you for your thoughts!

[A. G. Maisey]

The style accords with Surakarta Ladrangan Capu, but there are variations to the interpretation that could be due to either original carving or to repair & refinishing of a damaged section. If the variations are the product of original carving it most probably indicates production in a place that was out of the mainstream influence of Surakarta. The variation I'm referring to is the way in which the janggut section of the wrongko has been foreshortened.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The style accords with Surakarta Ladrangan Capu, but there are variations to the interpretation that could be due to either original carving or to repair & refinishing of a damaged section. If the variations are the product of original carving it most probably indicates production in a place that was out of the mainstream influence of Surakarta.

Thank you Alan! When I think of Landrangan Capu I have in mind a scabbard style like the one Jean has shown once, see the attached first picture in comparison to the one in question. But like you said, it could be variation.

Regards,
Detlef

[A. G. Maisey]

From "Keris Jawa"

[A. G. Maisey]

I'm more inclined to think it is a repair, maybe the front of the wrongko was a bit marked/scuffed/indented and somebody outside the society or culture took to it with a sharp knife & some cabinet paper.

If we look very carefully at the top left of the pendok we can see that there is not a flowing line along the length of the janggut section, it sort of runs a bit flat approaching the pendok, then it begins to curve. This shaping is not the work of a bonafide m'ranggi or tukang wrongko.

I am inclined to believe that somebody with very limited understanding decided that the wrongko needed a facelift, so he gave it one that pleased himself.

[Sajen]

Thank you again Alan! I don't have it in my hands yet but I will post pictures when I have received it.

Regards,
Detlef

[A. G. Maisey]

I look forward to that.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I look forward to that.

I bought the lot for the parts, the hilt with mendak and selut, the gandar with the fitting pendok with tortoise shell inlay, the interesting looking blade, the nice Malay sheath, the Madura janggelan hilt, all parts alone worth the paid price.

[HughChen]

A similar one from my collection

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by HughChen

A similar one from my collection

Hello Hugh,

Not really, have a look again!

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

It's a repair or a restoration, from the workmanship very well done!

[Sajen]

Otherwise it's a rather nice Tilam Upih keris.

[A. G. Maisey]

Thank you for showing these images Detlef.

I'm probably not going to win any friends with these following comments, so I'll apologise in advance.

I do agree that the joining of the wood and the finish on the wrongko has been neatly done, however I am unable to agree that it has been well done.

This form of wrongko is intended to be worn as an item of formal dress, and as such it must conform to a very particular pattern. The repair to this scabbard has not followed the pattern at all, & this scabbard could not be worn as an item of dress.

If this repair had been done in Solo the correct pattern would have been followed, so it is very obvious that this repair has been done outside the culture, and in my opinion this wrongko should be replaced.

Others might have a different opinion, & I feel no compulsion to try to convince anybody that my opinion is correct.

Again, my apologies.

But the blade, hilt selut, mendak are all pretty nice, they do deserve better than they presently have.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Thank you for showing these images Detlef.

I'm probably not going to win any friends with these following comments, so I'll apologise in advance.

I do agree that the joining of the wood and the finish on the wrongko has been neatly done, however I am unable to agree that it has been well done.

This form of wrongko is intended to be worn as an item of formal dress, and as such it must conform to a very particular pattern. The repair to this scabbard has not followed the pattern at all, & this scabbard could not be worn as an item of dress.

If this repair had been done in Solo the correct pattern would have been followed, so it is very obvious that this repair has been done outside the culture, and in my opinion this wrongko should be replaced.

Others might have a different opinion, & I feel no compulsion to try to convince anybody that my opinion is correct.

Again, my apologies.

But the blade, hilt selut, mendak are all pretty nice, they do deserve better than they presently have.

Nothing to apologize Alan! I agree with you, that the repair don't follow the correct pattern, so I've written that the repair is well done from the "workmanship". Not in the sense of a correct pattern!

Regards,
Detlef

[A. G. Maisey]

Understood Detlef, & that is fair enough.

[Pendita65]

Thanks Detlef, for sharing the clear pictures and Mr Maisey for his thorough thoughts on this Keris. Despite the fact that the repair was not done according the rules, he did a rather good job with aligning the two pieces, it’s a pity he was unable to cut the curve the right way.

But a nice set you bought Detlef.

Have a nice day and hope to have more time from now on to spent here and be Busy again with the Keris now I finally have moved from Amsterdam to Hoorn.
A city with a close connection with the VOC.

Regards, Martin.