Bugis Sheath Info Requested

RobT · Yesterday, 09:45 PM

Hi All,

My wife gave me this very nice 3 luk Bugis keris with its very well carved, ivory Java demam hilt and silver selut for my birthday. I have four questions about the sheath which appears to be fairly recent. I know that I will need to make a small modification to the throat in order for the blade to seat properly but the size of the wranka appears to be proportionate to the hilt.
1) Is the sheath (which appears to be Sulawesi) appropriate for a Sumatera hilt?
2) Even though the gandar is considerably longer than the blade, can I leave it as is?
3) If the gandar needs to be shortened, how short can I make it without it appearing too “stumpy”
4) I would like to replace the damaged buntut with something to match the hilt. Would camel bone be appropriate?. I have some ivory scraps that could work also but I would prefer to use bone.

Sincerely,
RobT

Gustav · Yesterday, 10:34 PM

Rob, before you start doing something, could you please post a picture of mouth of the sheath, blade sitting in it?
You have here a Malay hilt and Pendokok, and Malay sheath. Even if the sheath was not made for this blade, I wouldn't shorten it.
There are a lot of sheaths ruined by collectors, who think sheath should match the length of blade, and blade shouldn't be visible when sitting in sheath.

A. G. Maisey · Today, 01:40 AM

Gustav is correct Rob.

In times past Bugis & Malay & Balinese keris were often fitted to the scabbard with the gonjo visible.

Yesterday, 09:45 PM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 614	Bugis Sheath Info Requested Hi All, My wife gave me this very nice 3 luk Bugis keris with its very well carved, ivory Java demam hilt and silver selut for my birthday. I have four questions about the sheath which appears to be fairly recent. I know that I will need to make a small modification to the throat in order for the blade to seat properly but the size of the wranka appears to be proportionate to the hilt. 1) Is the sheath (which appears to be Sulawesi) appropriate for a Sumatera hilt? 2) Even though the gandar is considerably longer than the blade, can I leave it as is? 3) If the gandar needs to be shortened, how short can I make it without it appearing too “stumpy” 4) I would like to replace the damaged buntut with something to match the hilt. Would camel bone be appropriate?. I have some ivory scraps that could work also but I would prefer to use bone. Sincerely, RobT Attached Images

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Yesterday, 10:34 PM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,312	Rob, before you start doing something, could you please post a picture of mouth of the sheath, blade sitting in it? You have here a Malay hilt and Pendokok, and Malay sheath. Even if the sheath was not made for this blade, I wouldn't shorten it. There are a lot of sheaths ruined by collectors, who think sheath should match the length of blade, and blade shouldn't be visible when sitting in sheath.

Today, 01:40 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,181	Gustav is correct Rob. In times past Bugis & Malay & Balinese keris were often fitted to the scabbard with the gonjo visible.