Ancha/Nimcha

ariel · 10th July 2008, 08:18 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=130234811026
How do you like that?

TVV · 10th July 2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=130234811026
How do you like that?

I think Jim has done some research on these swords and his conclusion was that they are from Brasil. I am sure he will jump right in with tons of info, and he will surely include comments on the nimcha/Moroccan saif connection in the hilt.

Valjhun · 10th July 2008, 10:25 PM

Nice one for a fair price. Connection nimcha/ancha

Jim McDougall · 11th July 2008, 12:26 AM

Thank you so much Teodor for the recognition!! I have indeed been fascinated by Spanish colonial weapons for a very long time, and in all honesty, when I first acquired one of these, thought it to be Moroccan.
This was mostly due to the same assumption we see with espada/nimcha as noted here, and the nocked grip as on the Moroccan sa'if ('nimcha').

In studying espada anchas, I could see the influence diffused throughout the Spanish trade sphere, mostly as far as the Philippines, but never saw the South American examples. I first confirmed the identification on this particular form in an item appearing in Imperial Auctions last year, and the blade was marked with motif and inscriptions to Brazil. Review on Spanish trade between the Americas in the 19th century reconfirmed the potential diffusion of these, as well as establishing profound connections with Spanish colonies in Morocco.

This is a beautiful example, and the bird head as well as some of the geometric devices offer some interesting potential for research. The price the buyer got this for is in my opinion an amazing bargain, these are extremely desirable for Spanish colonial collectors!

chevalier · 11th July 2008, 01:50 AM

is there an evil eye on the handle?

Valjhun · 11th July 2008, 02:07 AM

Just the eye of a horse, I guess. Nimcha hilts are stylized horse heads, if I'm not wrong.

10th July 2008, 08:18 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Ancha/Nimcha http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=130234811026 How do you like that?

10th July 2008, 10:25 PM	#3
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Nice one for a fair price. Connection nimcha/ancha

11th July 2008, 12:26 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Thank you so much Teodor for the recognition!! I have indeed been fascinated by Spanish colonial weapons for a very long time, and in all honesty, when I first acquired one of these, thought it to be Moroccan. This was mostly due to the same assumption we see with espada/nimcha as noted here, and the nocked grip as on the Moroccan sa'if ('nimcha'). In studying espada anchas, I could see the influence diffused throughout the Spanish trade sphere, mostly as far as the Philippines, but never saw the South American examples. I first confirmed the identification on this particular form in an item appearing in Imperial Auctions last year, and the blade was marked with motif and inscriptions to Brazil. Review on Spanish trade between the Americas in the 19th century reconfirmed the potential diffusion of these, as well as establishing profound connections with Spanish colonies in Morocco. This is a beautiful example, and the bird head as well as some of the geometric devices offer some interesting potential for research. The price the buyer got this for is in my opinion an amazing bargain, these are extremely desirable for Spanish colonial collectors!

11th July 2008, 01:50 AM	#5
chevalier Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 119	is there an evil eye on the handle?

11th July 2008, 02:07 AM	#6
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Just the eye of a horse, I guess. Nimcha hilts are stylized horse heads, if I'm not wrong.