Bugis Sheath Info Requested

[David]

Originally Posted by RobT

I can’t believe I neglected to give the blade length. It’s 8.5” (21.59 cm)

"If the folks in Java fit a full size hilt to a short blade to make the ensemble work with a full size sheath, I think it is reasonably likely that the practice is followed in other areas of the keris world. It’s the way I’m going, for sure."

Well, the thing is this isn't just a "short keris". As far as i know there is not any evidence of patrem (small women's keris) in Malay culture. That is something you find in Jawa and Madura mostly. At 8.5" it is almost certainly intended as a keris selit. Again, i think it is more likely that this dress came together inorder to sell the keris, not as an ensemble that was intended to actually be worn in culture. Yes, perhaps the hilt seems somewhat OK with the size of the hilt. Perhaps it is not even the original hilt for that blade.
I don't think this should change your plans for this keris in its current dress, but i am fairly sure this was once is a much smaller sheath and an may or may not have had a different hilt, though this current hilt doesn't really look too large for this blade and frankly does look just a bit too small for the current sheath.

[David]

This is an old and worn example of a sheath adjusted to fit a smaller blade.

[A. G. Maisey]

Rob, as I have said, my experience in locations other than Jawa/Bali is limited, by that I mean my field experience, and truly, form my own perspective that is really the experience that counts.

What applies in Jawa/Bali might apply elsewhere, or might not apply elsewhere, I do not know.

However, in your situation, where you do not have access to craftsmen in SE Asia, you really do not have any options other than to fit this small blade neatly to the scabbard it is already in, it is best to leave that scabbard as it is, do not shorten, maybe just burnish and stain the chipped buntut, I would not replace it.

As to proportions of hilts and anything else, again, from my perspective everything is fine just as it is, for now. At some point in the future you might come across other fittings that better suit this keris, but for right now it is best to just make the best of what you have, I did this for the first 20 or so years of my collecting life, before I had access to SE Asian craftsmen, & I learnt one hell of a lot along the way.