PART 5 : JAVA & BORNEO - In the gap between - Free

MONOXYLE LUTES / INDEX : v.18 - July 2013 

http://inthegapbetween.free.fr/pierre/GAMBUS_PROJECT/01_PORTFOLIO.pdf 

http://inthegapbetween.free.fr/pierre/GAMBUS_PROJECT/02_PORTFOLIO_part2.pdf 







PART 5 : JAVA & BORNEO 

1

http://inthegapbetween.free.fr/pierre/PORTFOLIO.pdf 

Yemeni items 

- Item 001 San’a (exile) 

- Item 002 San’a 


- Item 004 Al-Ajami’s, San’a 





- Item 009 Al-Nunu’s, San’a 


- Item 011 replica San’a 

- Item 012 House of Culture, San’a 

- Item 013 Al-Jumai’s, San’a 

- Item 014 Al-Harithi’s , San’a 

- Item 015 Mokrani’s , San’a 

- Item 016 Mokrani’s , San’a 

CONTENTS 

- Item 017 San’a curio, San’a 

- Item 018 Edimbugh museum, UK 

- Item 019 Metropolitan museum, NYC, USA 

- Item 020 Awni / Hasan Al-Ajami’s, San’a 

- Item 021 Jeff Greene, NYC, USA 


- Item 023 Santa Cecilia auditorium, Italy 


http://inthegapbetween.free.fr/pierre/PORTFOLIO_part2.pdf 

Swahili items 

- Item 101 Zanzibar 

- Item 102 replica Mombasa 

- Item 103 Mombasa 

- Item 104 tanzanian coast 

- Item 105 Mwanza, Tanzania 

- Item 106 Mwanza, Tanzania 

Comorian Items 

- Item 200 presumed Nzuani isl. 

- Item 201 Domoni, East Nzuani isl. 

- Item 202 Nzuani isl. 

- Item 203 Sima, West Nzuani isl. 

- Item 205 NW Madagascar 





- Item 215 Mjamawe, N Nzuani 

- Item 219 Mwali 




- Item 227 Diego Suarez, Madagscar 







Mahore Island Items (french Comoro) 

- Item 501 Boueni, South Mahore 

- Item 502 Mr Linibwe, Mahore 

- Item 503 Tsararano, East Mahore 

- Item 504 Tsararano, East Mahore 

- Item 509 Chiconi, W Mahore 

- Item 510 Acoua, NW Mahore 

- Item 511 Msangamuji, NW Mahore 



- Item 514 Acoua ?, N W Mahore 

- Item 516 Tsoundzou, W Mahore 

- Item 517 Msangamuji, NW Mahore 

- Item 518 Mwali / Dzoumogne 

- Item 520 Chirongui, S-E Mahore 

- Item 522 Mwali / Passamainty 

- Item 524 Dzoumogne, N-E Mahore 





- Item 532 Msangamuji ?, W Mahore 






- Item 538 Chiconi?, W Mahore 

- Item 539 Chiconi?, W Mahore 

- 

2


PART4 : ALAM MELAYU 

Indonesian items (Sumatra) 

- Item 301 Batak, Sumatra 

- Item 302 Riau, Sumatra 

- Item 303 Bengkalis?, Sumatra 

- Item 304 undefined, Sumatra 

- Item 301 Riau, Sumatra 

- Item 306 Bengkalis, Riau dct. 

- Item 307 Bengkalis, Riau dct. 

- Item 308 Penyangat (Riau isl) 

- Item 309 Penyangat (Riau isl) 

- Item 310 SE Sumatra 

- Item 311 Medan, N. Sumatra 

- Item 312 Medan, N. Sumatra 

- Item 313 Medan ?, N. Sumatra 

- Item 315 Kayu Agung, SE. Sumatra 

- Item 316 Palembang, SE. Sumatra 

- Item 317 Indonesia (tropenmuseum) 



- Item 320 Bengkalis ?, Indonesia (ebay 2012). 

- Item 322 Mr Khairul Asrar, Riau 

- Item 323 Firdaus in Siak, Riau dct, Sumatra. 

- Item 324 Firdaus in Siak, Riau dct, Sumatra 

- Item 325 Sungwai Rawa, Riau dct, Sumatra. 

- Item 326 Bengkalis Isl, Sumatra. 

- Item 332 Lampung, SE Sumatra 

- Item 333 Jambi Isl, SE Sumatra 



- Item 336 Jambi , SE Sumatra 

- Item 337 Lampung , SE Sumatra 

- Item 338 Lampung , SE Sumatra 

The Dambus (Bangka Isl) 

- Item 614 Bangka, SE Sumatra 






- Item 629 bass ; Bangka, SE Sumatra 

- Item 630 Belitung isl, Bangka, SE Sumatra 



Malaysian items 

- Item 400 Musée de Genève 

- Item 401 Malacca 

- Item 402 Batu Pahat, Johor 




- Item 414 Johor Baru, Johor 

- Item 415 Johor ? 

- Item 416 Johor Baru, Johor 

3


PART5 : JAVA -BORNEO 

Java 

- Item 600 Java 




- Item 616 Indonesia 

The Borneo case 

- Item 679 Kutai, Kalimantan, Bornéo 

- Item 680 Tenggarung, Kalimantan, Bornéo 



- Item 683 Semporna, E. Sabah, Bornéo 

- Item 684 Labuan, Sabah, Bornéo 

- Item 685 Banjarmarsin, Kalimantan, Bornéo 

- Item 686 Banjarmarsin, Kalimantan, Bornéo 

- Item 687 Kalimantan, Bornéo 

- Item 689 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo 

- Item 690 Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo 

- Item 691 Borneo ? 

- Item 692 Borneo – Metropolitan 

- Item 697 Beaufort, Sabah, Borneo 

- Item 698 Brunei, Borneo 

- Item 699 Beaufort, Sabah, Borneo 

- Item 702 Saratok, Sarawak – Hamid Penghulu 

- Item 703 Derawan isl, Sarawak 

- Item 704 Sarawak? – Kraftang Muzeum, Johore 





- Item 709 Brunei, Bornéo 

- Item 710 bruneians of Papar, Sabah 

- Item 710 bruneians of Papar, Sabah 

- Item 712 bruneians of Weston, Sabah 

- Item 720 Rainforrest museum, Kuching 


PART6 : LESSER SUNDA: SUMBAWA & LOMBOK (NTB) 

- Item 773 Mataram market, Lombok Isl., NTB 

- Item 774 “Gambo” – Bima, Sumbawa isl., NTB 

- Item 775 “Gambo” – Bima, Sumbawa isl., NTB 

- Item 776 “Gambo” – Daha, Bima, NTB 

- Item 777 Ustd Sawal, Lombok Isl., NTB 

- Item 778 Ustd Afendi, Lombok Isl., NTB 

- Item 779 Ustd Afendi, Lombok Isl., NTB 

- Item 780 Gambo Mbojo” – Bima, Sumbawa isl., NTB 

- Item 781 Lombok Isl., NTB 

- Item 782 Lombok Isl. , NTB 



- Item 785 Mataram museum, Lombok Isl, NTB 

- Item 786 anonymous, Lombok Isl, NTB 


PART7 : FLORES (NTT) 

- Item 745 Lembata Isl, NTT, Sunda 

- Item 746 Bugis, Ende, NTT, Sunda 

- Item 747 Sikka, NTT, Sunda 

- Item 748 Labuan Bajo, SW Flores, NTT 

- Item 749 disambiguiation Bijol / Boko in Flores 

- Item 750 NTT, Sunda 

- Item 751 NTT, Sunda 

- Item 753 Ende, NTT, Sunda 

- Item 754 Ende, NTT ?, Sunda 

- Item 755 Lamaleha, NTT, Sunda 

- Item 756 Adonara, NTT, Sunda 

- Item 757 Indonesia (Vancouver museum). 


PART8 : SULAWESI & MOLUCCAS 

- Item 851 Wakantolalo, south Sulawezi 

- Item 852 Badjao, Celebes sea 

- Item 853 Pare-Pare, south Sulawezi Isl 

- Item 864 Muna, S-E Sulawezi isl. 

- Item 866 Sulawezi Isl 

- Item 868 Pangkep, south Sulawezi Isl. 

- Item 869 Makassar, south Sulawezi Isl. 

- Item 873 Pare-Pare, south Sulawezi Isl 

- Item 874 Makassar, south Sulawezi Isl 





- Item 879 Gorontalo, north Sulawezi Isl 



- Item 884 Sulawezi ? Borneo? – Roma Museum 

- Item 885 Moluccas 

- Item 886 Sanana Isl, Sula arch., North Moluccas 

4

JAVA 

GAMBUS – “MELAYU” - 

5

Item n°: 600 

Lute maker : unknown 

Owner : Pierre D HEROUVILLE 

Name : Gambus Melayu, (Java, Indonesia) 

Age / Year : supposedly early 20th century 

Diamètre Di = ??? mm 

Le = over 800 mm 

Lm= ??? mm 

Pi= ??? mm 

Observations : original design. Very damaged, third hand & tiny item. Painted wooden box 

and pegbox; the original Bridge missed. 7 strings; the sole bass strings consists in twisted 

nylon wires. Neck is made of plain wood – not hollowed -. Soundboard is made of wood. 

The soundbox shape is similar with items #616, 767 and more vaguely with items# 772, 

536!. Front: sun-shaped soundhole, wood made. Back, another 1cm diam. Soondhole 

opposite the fron hole. Mirror-worked peghead illustrates two Nangka heads, 2 dragonsnakes 

of the javanese traditional mythology. Item found in Java Isl by former owner and 

flown back to France as a souvenir. Possibly originated from Java Isl, NTB or Lombok. 

( Photo by current owner; here the original pegs have been changed with alternate design 

part for playability matters ) 

6

Item n°: 600 






Le = over 800 mm 

Lm= ??? mm 

Pi= ??? mm 

Observations : original design. Very damaged, third hand & tiny item. Painted wooden box 

and pegbox; the original Bridge missed. 7 strings; the sole bass strings consists in twisted 

nylon wires. Neck is made of plain wood – not hollowed -. Soundboard is made of wood. 

The soundbox shape is similar with items #616, 767 and more vaguely with items# 772, 

536!. Front: sun-shaped soundhole, wood made. Back, another 1cm diam. Soondhole 

opposite the fron hole. Mirror-worked peghead illustrates two Nangka heads, 2 dragonsnakes 

of the javanese traditional mythology. Item found in Java Isl by former owner and 

flown back to France as a souvenir. Possibly originated from Java Isl, NTB or Lombok. 

( Photo by owner; here the original pegs, before refurbishing by owner) 

7

Item n°: 601 


Owner : Horniman Storage, Nth Greenwich 

Name : Gambus Melayu, (Java, 

Indonesia) 

Age / Year : supposedly early 

20th century 


Le = doesn’t exceed 600 mm 

Lm= ??? mm 

Pi= ??? mm 

Observations : ancient shape. Bridge, strings & most pegs are missing. The side cicatrice 

suggests this might have hang some kind of fixation. The pegbox shape is very similar with the 

kibangala #101 and antique qanbus items #008. Carved rose. 

( Photo Pierre d’HEROUVILLE by Courtesy of the Horniman Museum Storage) 

8

Item n°: 602 






Le = exceeds 800 mm 

Lm= ??? mm 

Pi= ??? mm 

Observations : ancient shape. Poor status. Rope-made strings only. Bridge & most pegs 

missing. The pegbox design seems antique. Same rear-sided soundhole as the antique 

gabusi #203. Very narrow neck. Tiny soundholes in the soundboard. 


9

Item n°: 603 






Le = exceeds 800 mm 

Lm= ??? mm 

Pi= ??? mm 

Observations : original design. Rope-made strings only. Bridge and most strings are 

missing The soundbox shape seems to have been influenced by a regional lute design of 

the natives ( ex : kulyapik) or the javanese rabab spike fiddle. Compare pegbox shape with 

gabusi items #201 & 202. 


10

Item n°: 604 


Owner : Slamet GUNDONO, Surakarta 

Name : Gambus Bambu, (Surakarta, central 

Java, Indonesia) 

Age / Year : 2000’s 

Diamètre Di = 1700 mm 

Le = about 1000 mm 

Lm= ??? mm 

Pi= ??? mm 

Observations : a totally odd design: structure speaking: there is actually not event one feature of the arab 

qanbus lute but the artist can play malaysian Zapin. 

The whole lute is carved out of a gigant bamboo trunk. The fingerboard is actually a 

flattened area of the main part. The shape of the pegbox is totally unorthodox and vaguely 

guitar-like. 8 vertical pegs. 

( Photo youtube) 

11

Item n°: 604 


Owner : Slamet GUNDONO, Surakarta 

Name : Gambus Bambu, (Surakarta, central 

Java, Indonesia) 




Lm= ??? mm 

Pi= ??? mm 

Observations : a totally odd design: structure speaking: there is actually not event one feature of the arab 

qanbus lute but the artist can play malaysian Zapin. 

The whole lute is carved out of a gigant bamboo trunk. The fingerboard is actually a 

flattened area of the main part. The shape of the pegbox is totally unorthodox and vaguely 

guitar-like. 8 vertical pegs. 

( Photo youtube) 

12

Item n°: 616 

Lute maker : unknown, 


Name : Gambus ( Indonesia) 

Age / Year : ??? 


Le = 748 mm 

Lm= 36 mm 

Pi= 100 mm 

Observations : few info available about this ancient damaged lute. Shape and soundboard 

suggest it could originate from Brunei or Sumatra. The pegbox, reinforced with iron plates, is 

similar indeed with item. Same soundbox shape as item 321. 

Partial restauration performed by owner in 2009. 

(Picture from e-bay (2009) ) 

13

Item n°: 616 

Lute maker : unknown, 


Name : Gambus ( Indonesia) 

Age / Year : ??? 


Le = 748 mm 

Lm= 36 mm 

Pi= 100 mm 

Observations : few info available about this ancient damaged lute. Shape and soundboard 

suggest it could originate from Brunei or Sumatra. The pegbox, reinforced with iron plates, is 

similar indeed with item. Same soundbox shape as item 321. 

Now under restoration. 

(Picture from e-bay (2009) ) 

14

EAST INDONESIA: THE BORNEO CASE 

PANTING & GAMBUS 

15

Item n°: 679 


Owner : Toko bagus web dealer 

Name : Panting, (Kutai people, East 

Kalimantan, Bornéo, Indonesia) 

Age / Year : unknown 

Diamètre, estim. Di = 300 mm 

Le, estimated = 900 mm 

Lm, estimated = about 40 mm 

Pi, estimated= 145 mm 

Observations : this orthodox design illustrates here the small lute of the Kutai people. 

7 strings. Skin made soundboard. Same pegbox as item 685, much 

inspirated with Yemeni design. Pencil-shaped pegs. Proeminent nail heads. 

( Photo Toko bagus.com) 

16

Item n°: 680 


Owner : anonymous Tingkilan player – kutai 

language - in Tenggarung Museum, east 

Kalimantan, Borneo 

Name : Panting, (Tenggarung, East 







Observations : Superb item. The soundboard, alternately observed as covered with an such painted 

cover, or a more conventional fabric. ( Photo Youtube) 

17

Item n°: 680 


Owner : anonymous Tingkilan player – kutai 

language - in Tenggarung Museum, east 

Kalimantan, Borneo 








Observations : Superb item. The soundboard, alternately observed as covered with an such painted 

cover, or a more conventional fabric. ( Photo unknown source) 

18

Item n°: 681 


Owner : unknown 

Name : Panting, (East Kalimantan, 

Bornéo, Indonesia) 






Observations : Ancient shape. The instrument is representative of the spread of the instrument in 

South Borneo: it survives there as the traditional Panting lute of the Kutai 

tribesmen. Bridge, strings & most pegs are missed. Outlet are drilled in the 

soundboard, but the soundbox design is very similar with Johore’s variants. 

( Photo unknown source) 

19

Item n°: 682 


Owner :Herman 








Observations : The lute survives there as the traditional Panting lute of the Kutai tribesmen. This 

one was observed during the field recording sessions by the Mission Tikarmedia / 

Smithonian Institute on Tegganrung. Soundboard is nailed on the top of the 

soundbox. 

( Photo Tikarmedia.org.id / Smithonian Institute) 

20

Item n°: 682 


Owner :Herman 










Smithonian Institute on Tegganrung. Soundboard is nailed on the top of the 

soundbox. 

Here the same item as previous page, as performed by lady SAWIAH. 


21

Item n°: 682 


Owner :Herman 










Smithonian Institute on Tegganrung. 


22

Item n°: 683 


Owner : Sabah Heritage Museum, 

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Borneo). 

Name : Gambus (Semporna, east Sabah) 

Age / Year : early 20 th century 

Diamètre Di = presumed 150 mm 

Le = presumed 830 mm 

Lm= presumed 40 mm 

Pi= presumed 100 mm 

Observations : Very orthodox, same size and finition as item 201 (Domoni, Comoros), excepting 

bowed pegbox. 

« The dept of Sabah Museum & State archive also mentions that gambus have been found in Malay/Muslim communities of 

the coastal area of Sabah. These gambus sometimes use ‘iguana’ skin instead of goat skin. They have three pair of gut or 

brass strings played by plectra made from theclaw of an ‘armadillo’ » (Larry francis HILARIAN) 

Reported as a gambus lute of the bajau community of Semporna harbour (East coast of Sabah). 

If one ignores the unvarnish aspect, the design is actually same as production from Tenffaranu, 

East Kalimantan (item 682). 

23

Item n°: 685 


Owner :Pasar Tarapung 

Name : Panting, (Banjarmarsin, 



Diamètre, estim. Di = about 210 mm 

Le, estimated = about 800 mm 



Observations : This tiny, 7 strings, Panting lute ( Banjarmarsin) features a unusual pegbox, same 

as a Yemeni –style mirror holder. Colorful paintings are typical in Banjarmarsin 

area. 

Soundboard material is unclear but likely wood made. This one was observed 

during a concert.. The soundhole is covered with an Egyptian style rose. 

( Photo unknown web source) 

24

Item n°: 686 


Owner :Pasar Tarapung 

Name : Panting, 

(Banjarmarsin, 

Kalimantan, Bornéo, 

Indonesia) 


Diamètre, estim. Di = about 210 mm 

Le, estimated = about 750 mm 



Observations : This tiny item shows new trends in Panting lute making in Banjarmarsin: overall 

size is small and the soundbox is unusually bowl-shaped. Soundboard material is 

unclear but likely a lamb skin. This one was observed during a festival. 

Soundboard is nailed on the top of the soundbox. The soundhole is covered with 

an Egyptian style rose. Stringing is unclear; only 5 pegs can be seen here. 


25

Item n°: 687 


Owner : Peduli Museum, Yoghyiarta 

Name : Gambus, (Kalimantan) 

Age / Year : 200 ? 

Diamètre Di = about 160 mm 


Lm= about 40 mm 

Pi= about 70 mm 

Observations : This old style item has a narrow skin-covered soundbox. . Design is now extincted in 

Sabah. Flower shaped pegbox. 6 strings only. Side decoration and the Nangka-style 

peghead are obvious construction influences from Riau. 

( Photo private web blog) 

26

Item n°: 689 



Name : Gambus Biawak, (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah) 

Age / Year : 2008 





Observations : This old style item is held by a private enthusiast in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Province. 

Lizard skin sondboard. Very orthodox design with regards with the usual shape, 

ration and finishings in the Alam Melayu. Design is now extincted in Sabah. Flower 

shaped pegbox. 6 strings only. 


27

Item n°: 689 



Name : Gambus Biawak, (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah) 

Age / Year : 2008 





Observations : This old style item is held by a private enthusiast in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Province. 

Lizard skin sondboard. Very orthodox design with regards with the usual shape, 

ration and finishings in the Alam Melayu. Design is now extincted in Sabah. Flower 

shaped pegbox. 6 strings only. 


28

Item n°: 690 



Name : Gambus Melayu, (Sarawak, Borneo) 

Age / Year : alledged 1910’s by seller 


Le = 1070 mm 

Lm 38 mm 

Pi= 90 mm 

Observations : item bought in Kuching, Sarawak. 6 pegs (2 choirs x 2 strings + 1 string ) 

Original flower carved pegbox. Outlet on the rear side of the soundboard. 

( Photo e-bay) 

29

Item n°: 691 


Owner : SEDC Gala 

Name : Gambus Melayu, (Sarawak, Borneo) 

Age / Year : 2011 


Le = 870 mm 

Lm 38 mm 

Pi= 80 mm 

Observations : wreck as offerd during SEDC league gala, 2011, Kuching. Possibly refurbished 

fron an old structure, this items doesn’t seem to feature the Flower shaped 

pegbox , similar with item 616, 692. The neck is noticeably short: comparing to 

the overall shape of the instrument, the soundboard is unusually oversized , 

same as item 316. 

(Photo: SEDC press website) 

30

Item n°: 692 



Name : Gambus Melayu, (presumately Borneo) 

Age / Year : 20th century 


Le = 870 mm 

Lm 38 mm 

Pi= 80 mm 

Observations : wreck as bought in Internet without any info about origin. Hard wood. Pegs and 

soundboard, fingerboard are missed. Flower shaped pegbox is amazingly 

similar with item 693. Outlet on the rear side of the soundboard. 

31

Item n°: 693 


Owner : Metropolitan Museum 

Name : Gambus Melayu, (reported Borneo) 

Age / Year : collected 1983 AD 


Le = 870 mm 

Lm 38 mm 

Pi= 80 mm 

Observations : wreck as given to Metropolitan Museum, NYC. Pegs and bridge are missed. 

Flower shaped pegbox is amazingly similar with item 616, 692. The neck is 

noticeably short: comparing to the overall shape of the instrument, the 

soundboard is unusually oversized , same as item 316. The item ispresumately 

old but was given to Metropolitan Museum ca 1983 AD. 

(Photo: Metropolitan Museum website) 

32

Item n°: 697 



Name : Gambus Biawak, (Beaufort, Sabah) 

Age / Year : 2008 





Observations : This rare design, now extincted in Sabah, is same as observed in the 1990’s in 

Brunei (see item 701) . The bruneian nickname is Gambus Biawak. Very same 

pegbox as item 603. 7 strings. Three small soundholes in the top of the 

soundboard. Unlike item 701, pegbox is slightly open. Observed during Pesta 

Gambus 2009 festival in Beaufort, west Sabah. 

( Photo Pierre d’HEROUVILLE by Courtesy of Larry FRANCIS HILARIAN, Singapore) 

33

Item n°: 698 


Owner : Larry FRANCIS HILARIAN (SNG) 

Name : Gambus Melayu, (Brunei) 

Age / Year : late 1990’s 


Le = 815 mm 

Lm= 35 mm 

Pi= 70 mm 

Observations : Same Bruneian type as Item 700. Very same pegbox as item 603. No 

soundhole at all. 


34

Item n°: 699 


Owner : for sale 

Name : Gambus Biawak, 

(Beaufort, Sabah) 

Age / Year : 2010 





Observations : This design is the obvious – and ugly - cross over of the original Gambus Biawak 

design with contemporary production of the bruneians in Sabah (see items, 706, 707, 

708, 709; 710, 711), for example for the peg box. 12 pegs. This was observed in the 

marketplace of Beaufort, Sabah. Soundbox seems to be made of a resistant fabric. 

( Photo unknown webblog) 

35

Item n°: 702 


Owner : Hamid PENGHULU 

Name : Gambus, (Saratok, Sarawak, Borneo) 

Age / Year : unclear 



Lm about 45 mm 


Observations : this wonderful-looking instrument has been observed recently (2012) in a crowdy Zapin session 

in Saratok, Sarawak. The decor vaguely remnant of a middle eastern oud design (see item 

708). The body could be arched back made, but the picture is unclear. If no, the instrument is 

structurally closer to the Gambus Selundang Buntal from Papar (Sabah), but with a very large 

body/soundboard: neck is obviously not hollowed. Acc. the source, the player is proficient in 

violin playing too. ( Photo Saratok news blog) 

36

Item n°: 703 


Owner : anonymous player, Derawan isl 

Name : Gambus, (Derawan Isl, Sarawak, Borneo) 






Observations : similar instrument as production from Saratok, Sarawak. The decor vaguely remnant of a middle 

eastern oud design (see item 708). The very large body/soundboard: neck is obviously not 

hollowed. Considering the similarity with item 701. Shot by a tourist in Derawan Island, 

Sarawak. 

( Photo unknown websource) 

37

Item n°: 704 


Owner : Kraftang Muzeum, Johor 

Name : Gambus, (Sarawak?, Borneo) 






Observations : similar instrument as production from Saratok, Sarawak. The decor vaguely remnant of a middle 

eastern oud design (see item 708). The body is arched back made. The very large 

body/soundboard: neck is obviously not hollowed. Considering the similarity with item 701, this 

possibly was collected in Sarawak. 

( Photo Kraftang Museum) 

38

Item n°: 705 



Name : Gambus Selandung Buntal 

(Beaufort, Sabah 






Observations : Wooden soundboard. A local vague copy of the middle eastern oud. Embodies 

the rural copy of the oud in Brunei. The type spread dramatically from the 1990’s 

among the numerous bruneian diaspora in the close Sabah (Borneo). Neck is not 

hollowed, unlike item 709. The picuresque bird-shaped pegbox is typical of the 

recent bruneian production. 


39

Item n°: 706 



Name : Gambus Selandung Buntal (Brunei) 

Age / Year : late 2008 


Le = 810 mm 

Lm= 50 mm 

Pi= 150 mm 

Observations : Wooden soundboard. A modern, local vague copy of the middle eastern oud. 

Embodies the oud reintroduction in Brunei. The type spread dramativcally from the 

1990’s among the numerous bruneian diaspora in the close Sabah (Borneo). 

Neck is not hollowed, unlike item 709. 


40

Item n°: 707 



Name : Gambus Melayu, (presumed from Brunei) 



Le = 810 mm 

Lm= 50 mm 

Pi= 150 mm 

Observations : Wooden soundboard. Embodies late oud copy maturity in Brunei . Neck is 

hollowed, unlike item 708. 


41

Item n°: 708 



Name : Gambus kecil ( Brunei) 



Le = 585 mm 

Lm= 35 mm 

Pi= 75 mm 

Observations : Wooden soundboard. Tiny instrument. 1 choir x 2 strings + 2 bass strings 

« The smaller size Gambus melayu kecil (small) is 62 cm. It has a wooden belly with a soundhile towards the bridge, with a 

diameter of 4 cm. It has also 3 courses of strings » (Larry francis HILARIAN) 


42

Item n°: 709 



Name : Gambus Kecil (Brunei) 

Age / Year : 2008 


Le = 585 mm 

Lm= 35 mm 

Pi= 75 mm 

Observations : Wooden soundboard. Embodies late oud copy maturity in Brunei . Neck is 

hollowed, unlike item 708. 8 strings. The type spread also among the numerous 

bruneian diaspora in the close Sabah (Borneo). Neck is not hollowed, unlike 

item 709. « The smaller size Gambus melayu kecil (small) is 62 cm. It has a wooden belly with a 

soundhile towards the bridge, with a diameter of 4 cm. It has also 3 courses of strings » (Larry francis 

HILARIAN) 


43

Item n°: 710 

Lute maker : Awang Pesar, 

Seri Serbang , Bongawan, Papar, west 

Sabah 


Name : Gambus Seludang Mayang, (East 

Beaufort, Sabah) 

Age / Year : 2007 


Le = 915 mm 

Lm= 50 mm 

Pi= 150 mm 

Observations : « Oud » reintroduction by bruneian refugees in the west Sabah from the late 1990’s. 

Type 2 neck is not originally hollowed, unlike item 708. Bruneian maker produces 3 major types : 

Type 1 - 0.8 scaled oud , egyptian pattern ( glued boards) 

Type 2 - monoxyle gambus, wooden soundboard, 4 choirs, oud-like pegbox, as shown here. 

Type 3 - monoxyle gambus, wooden soundboard, 5 choirs, closed pegbox 

Heavyweight types 2 & 3 widespread among bruneian nostalgics near Kimanis, Bongawan & Papar 

city where they hold now annual gambus festivals. Wood : jacktree. See also amazing similarity 

with Item 712 by Hajj Mokti MUHIDDIN, an alternate bruneian maker in Weston, east Beaufort, 

Sabah ( Photo by owner ) 

44

Item n°: 711 

Lute maker : Awang Pesar, 

Seri Serbang , Bongawan, Papar, west Sabah 


Name : Gambus Seludang Buntal (Papar, West 

Beaufort, Sabah) 

Age / Year : 2007 


Le = 915 mm 

Lm= 50 mm 

Pi= 150 mm 

Observations : « Oud » reintroduction by bruneian refugees in the west Sabah from the late 1990’s. 

Type 2 neck is not originally hollowed, unlike item 708. Bruneian maker produces 3 major types : 

Type 1 - 0.8 scaled oud , egyptian pattern ( glued boards) 

Type 2 - Gambus Seludang Buntal monoxyle gambus, wooden soundboard, 4 choirs, oudlike 

pegbox. 

Type 3 - Gambus Seludang Mayang monoxyle gambus, wooden soundboard, 5 choirs, 

closed pegbox as shown here. Illustrations show making of type 3. Wood : 

jacktree. ( Photo by owner ) 

See also amazing similarity with Item 712 by Hajj Mokti MUHIDDIN, an alternate bruneian maker in 

Weston, east Beaufort, Sabah 

45

Item n°: 712 

Lute maker : Hajj Mokti MUHIDDIN 


Name : Gambus Seludang Buntal, (Weston, east 

Beaufort, Sabah, Borneo) 

Age / Year : 2011 


Le = 870 mm 

Lm 38 mm 

Pi= 80 mm 

Observations : the production by bruneian Hajj Mokti MUHIDDIN (Weston, East of Beaufort, 

Sabah) is very similar with Awang PESAR’s (Papar, West of Beaufort): neck is 

not hollowed, large lute body edges are carved out of nangka tree. Amazingly, 

both adopted the same odd pegbox design. Body painting is very modern too. 

(source Weston info web blog) 

46

Item n°: 720 

Lute maker : Hajj Mokti MUHIDDIN 


Name : Gambus Seludang Buntal, (Rain Forrest 

Museum, Kuching , Sarawak, Borneo) 

Age / Year : 20th century 


Le = 950 mm 


Pi= abot 120 mm 

Observations : this extincted design demonstrates the versatility of the skin-borded Gambus 

Biawak in Sarawak (Bornéo) before the Gambus Selundang Raise. 4 string 

peg hole only. 

(source Weston info web blog) 

47

PART 5 : JAVA & BORNEO - In the gap between - Free

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