Restoration suggestion

A. G. Maisey · 8th September 2014, 10:42 PM

Sid, you have asked:-

What is the best type and style of wood for Hilt & Scabbard?

The simple answer to this question is that there is no "best wood".

Your existing scabbard (wrongko, wrangka, warangka) is a Javanese formal (ladrangan) scabbard, and as has already been advised looks to be totally acceptable with this blade.

There is a heirarchy for the materials used for a scabbard in Jawa, but this heirarchy depends more strongly upon the purpose of the scabbard in a social context, rather than upon any perception of "best".

Notwithstanding this social orientation there are several woods that the Javanese people place a high value upon for a keris scabbard, perhaps the most highly prized would be scented sandalwood (cendono,cendana) with a burl grain (gembol) or a feather crotch grain (simbar). Both of these wood types are not freely available and you could wait a lifetime before being given the opportunity to purchase a piece sufficient for a scabbard --- at an astoundingly high price.

Similarly with hilt (ukiran, jejeran) woods. There are many suitable woods but perhaps the most highly prized is tayuman. This is a very dense wood that sinks in water. It is not suitable for wear in daylight because it is very subject to cracking under direct sunlight. Apart from wood, many other materials are also used for the hilt, and again use depends upon social purpose or hierarchy.

Regarding the keris you have shown us. I endorse the remarks of David and Detlef and suggest that this seemingly very fine hilt be removed from this keris and kept as a stand alone display item.

Rick · 8th September 2014, 10:50 PM

Would love to see a series of pics of just the hilt, please .

David · 9th September 2014, 12:58 AM

Yes, the hilt is deeply and skillfully carved and has some motifs which, at least to my experience, aren't that common in this form. I would love to see some nice, sharp close-ups of it. I agree with Alan, keep it as a stand alone item, at least until the appropriate keris presents itself.

Sid · 9th September 2014, 11:27 AM

Hi

David, Sajen, Alan and Rick, thank you for your opinions.
I try summarize it below:
1. Change the mendak (must be).
2. Keep the warangka & Pendok (need to be clean & re polish

).
3. Change the hilt with surakarta planar with much darker color wood , I prefer Kayu tayuman or arang and keep donoriko style hilt (stand alone).

I will post pics of the hilt closely and the final result of the keris make over as soon as i get back to Indonesia (probably on Dec).

would you mind to give your opinion on my others keris please ?
its 4 of them not 2 or 3 as mentioned it before....my mistake sorry.

9th September 2014, 11:27 AM	#4
Sid Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 6	Hi David, Sajen, Alan and Rick, thank you for your opinions. I try summarize it below: 1. Change the mendak (must be). 2. Keep the warangka & Pendok (need to be clean & re polish ). 3. Change the hilt with surakarta planar with much darker color wood , I prefer Kayu tayuman or arang and keep donoriko style hilt (stand alone). I will post pics of the hilt closely and the final result of the keris make over as soon as i get back to Indonesia (probably on Dec). would you mind to give your opinion on my others keris please ? its 4 of them not 2 or 3 as mentioned it before....my mistake sorry. Attached Images

8th September 2014, 10:42 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,072	Sid, you have asked:- What is the best type and style of wood for Hilt & Scabbard? The simple answer to this question is that there is no "best wood". Your existing scabbard (wrongko, wrangka, warangka) is a Javanese formal (ladrangan) scabbard, and as has already been advised looks to be totally acceptable with this blade. There is a heirarchy for the materials used for a scabbard in Jawa, but this heirarchy depends more strongly upon the purpose of the scabbard in a social context, rather than upon any perception of "best". Notwithstanding this social orientation there are several woods that the Javanese people place a high value upon for a keris scabbard, perhaps the most highly prized would be scented sandalwood (cendono,cendana) with a burl grain (gembol) or a feather crotch grain (simbar). Both of these wood types are not freely available and you could wait a lifetime before being given the opportunity to purchase a piece sufficient for a scabbard --- at an astoundingly high price. Similarly with hilt (ukiran, jejeran) woods. There are many suitable woods but perhaps the most highly prized is tayuman. This is a very dense wood that sinks in water. It is not suitable for wear in daylight because it is very subject to cracking under direct sunlight. Apart from wood, many other materials are also used for the hilt, and again use depends upon social purpose or hierarchy. Regarding the keris you have shown us. I endorse the remarks of David and Detlef and suggest that this seemingly very fine hilt be removed from this keris and kept as a stand alone display item.

8th September 2014, 10:50 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,375	Would love to see a series of pics of just the hilt, please .

9th September 2014, 12:58 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,247	Yes, the hilt is deeply and skillfully carved and has some motifs which, at least to my experience, aren't that common in this form. I would love to see some nice, sharp close-ups of it. I agree with Alan, keep it as a stand alone item, at least until the appropriate keris presents itself.