metal or fiber wraps on a kris gandar

[milandro]

Sometimes I see krises ( especially Bugis style) which gandar has had a “ wrap” either made of metal wire or fiber ( Cotton or Hemp maybe). I particularly like this look and prefer it to some metal decoration on the kris.

I was wondering if anyone of the members has tried to add this or restore a kris which featured this and lost it.

Of course there are those who want to preserve the “ original looks” cost what costs but others may have a different stance to this “ problem” and actually believe that the external attribute to the kris are all subject to deterioration which implies that they can be, in time, changed. I find that a new hilt or mendak can be changed and so can any other parts of a kris. You may have a different idea, but to each his or her own.

[milandro]

just to be clear about what I asking, I refer to this kind of “ wrap”.

there are many situations in which one would want to make such a wrap. After all even in the country of origins Krises are subject to repair and even updating with parts such as the sarong, the mendak, the hilts....



(disclaimer: pictures are from internet they belong to now closed auctions , the krises are not mine nor am i the maker of these pictures)

[David]

Milandro, you are showing two completely different kinds of wrapping that serve very different practical or cultural purposes.
The top photo is an example of a type of wrapping that i can only assume is used to protect the sheath stem from wear. I have a couple of examples of this kind of thing in my own collection, both on Bugis style keris. Often this type of binding occurs on gandar that are made in two pieces so it seems it likely serves the function of holding the two halves together.
The second wrapping you show is known as Passio Sumange or Toli Toli. There does seem to be more to this wrap than simple practical purpose, though it may have begun as that. But there is some debate as to the real or original purpose for this. Often this simple string wrap is replaced by fancier loops made of precious metals and studded with gemstones.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=loop+keris

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=loop+keris

[milandro]

Thanks David, very nice.

[David]

This is my favourite keris with a wrapped sheath stem. It is, as you can see, obviously in the family of Bugis influence, though i can't say for certain that only Bugis keris have used this wrap style.

[milandro]

yes it is very beautiful and I was precisely wondering how to add such a wrap to the sheath? Has anyone done it?