[CharlesS]

Loedjoe,

I think you are spot on that this cannot be called a gading, because of the very meaning of the word. Perhaps kalasan is a better term.

Regardless, your example is as lovely and ornate as I have seen. Personally, this is one I would clean up a bit, after all, it was the "bling" that you wanted to be seen, but I believe that is up to any individual collector's discretion. The scabbard there is so lovely and elegant!