Restored Lopah Petawaran

[kai]

Hello Jose,

the original hilt is made of wood that was cut straight and exposed.

Could you post a pic, please?

I studied those of the other form and the examples I saw had scalloped edges and covered with a but plate of silver, yes most with a metal protrusion from the center.

Mine did not have a place for a protrusion nor a but plate nor scalloped edges, so based on this plus research plus the advice of forum members who know more than I on this subject, I restored this the way I did.

I'd certainly be interested to see examples with the simple type of blade and a hulu jongo hilt. Maybe you or other forumites could show any pieces?

Regards,
Kai

[Battara]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Jose,

Could you post a pic, please?

Ok here is the picture of the end of the hilt before restoration.

[kai]

Hello Jose,

Ok here is the picture of the end of the hilt before restoration.

Thanks, that helps to put things into perspective!

BTW, if you ever get access to this part again, I'd be interested in a thin sliver of the wood (preferably cut with a razor) for identification purposes.

From the looks it seems that the wood surface exhibits some patina & wear: So, it wasn't freshly cut (nor a recent amputation of an older hilt). I reckon the current surface was never meant to be visible; otherwise, the hilt shape is pretty typical for the variant type (except for the scalloped pommel/top as you already mentioned; not all examples exhibit this feature though).

My best bet would be that this hilt was fully covered with silver of which the top got lost sometime during use.

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Hello Jose, I agree with the most what Kai has written already and don't think that the handle was such a hulu jongo like you have given it now. All the lopah petawaran I've seen until now with a blade without decorated bolster has had a rather simple handle so I think that the top was covered with a silver capping instead of an elongation.
If the handle was upside down I am usure about but it is good possible.
But a good restore job without doubt, congrats!

Regards,
Detlef