Aceh pommels with tassels - a hairy issue?

[kai]

Submitted via email - thanks, Karel!

Originally Posted by Karel Sirag

COLL.NR: 12-29
ORIGIN: Sumatra, Aceh.
SWORD: Gliwang. TYPE: Gliwang Ladiëng.
TOTAL LENGTH: 70 cm.
BLADE: Iron. LENGTH: 53,3 cm.
HILT: Greenish Buffalo Horn, carved. HEIGTH: 16,7 cm.
TASSEL: (probably) Horse hair, brown. LENGTH: 35 cm. (Measured from attachment to very tip.)
AGE: Old piece, could be first quarter of 19th cent.

NOTE 1: The back of the hilt is only partly carved.
NOTE 2: The hair is fastened inside the pommel cavity with a wooden plug and a metal pin. This pin can be seen on the photograph of the uncarved side of the hilt. At a later time, a light brown substance got added along the margin of the cavity.