Nimcha: real or not?

ariel · 28th May 2006, 08:37 PM

It just ended and brought a tidy sum.
The owner advertised it as 18th century and, in response to my questions, reiterated the antiquity of the sword.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6631713652
I was looking for a good Nimcha for a long time, but this one left me with nagging doubts.
1. The intactness: not a scratch, a lost stone, a crack in the handle
2. The decoration: the ornaments on the handle are very artistic; perhaps, too artistic. They reminded me of a multitude of bazaar Koummyas with camel bone or just plastic handles.
3.The construction also seems a bit flimsy, especially the baldric rings: they are nicely attached to the scabbard but I cannot imagine they can hold for a long time.
4.The size: yes, I know Nimcha by definition is something small. But all Moroccan Nimchas I have seen were cavalry swords, not naval cutlasses. This one is ~27", and would not be suitable for a horse ( even more, camel!)rider
The blade is of strange configuration; I asked for better pics but did not get them.
Where did my paranoia overcome me?

Rick · 28th May 2006, 08:45 PM

There is 'something' Ariel .
The entire sword looks refurbished ; no gold decoration on the quillons , a lack of serious patina .
I'm not surprised you were reluctant .
The whole piece looks like it's never seen conflict ; more an old Lady than an old Warrior .

Valjhun · 28th May 2006, 08:48 PM

Why paranoia? Because you're partially right, SenSei. There are still making nimchas in Morocco of similar quality, BUT your piece is an end of 19th century or early 20th century bazar piece...
Verry beautifull, but not a combat weapon.

ariel · 28th May 2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valjhun

Why paranoia? Because you're partially right, SenSei. There are still making nimchas in Morocco of similar quality, BUT your piece is an end of 19th century or early 20th century bazar piece...
Verry beautifull, but not a combat weapon.

This is interesting: what makes you think it is, simultaneously: A. old; and B. bazaar?
Any particular characteristics of old bazaar pieces?

Valjhun · 28th May 2006, 09:26 PM

Old = it looks old and if that ensemble is not old I quit on collecting.
Bazar = overdecorated, strange attaching rings, there were tourism in morocco in between the 19/20th century.

The rings are soldered to the scabbard?

Take a look at Tirri's book there are a couple of them wich looks verry similar but still less decorated.

A wall piece, but still a beautifull lady, SenSei.

ariel · 29th May 2006, 12:32 AM

A wall flower?

Poll:
Who would pay $800 for a decoration piece?

Not me.

Michael Blalock · 29th May 2006, 12:36 AM

I bid on it and I had misgivings about my bid because it looked so new and gaudy. I was shocked when I got home and saw what it went for.

Rick · 29th May 2006, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

A wall flower?

Poll:
Who would pay $800 for a decoration piece?

Not me.

I'll take a Warrior every time (in swords that is); keris are another story .

28th May 2006, 08:37 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Nimcha: real or not? It just ended and brought a tidy sum. The owner advertised it as 18th century and, in response to my questions, reiterated the antiquity of the sword. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6631713652 I was looking for a good Nimcha for a long time, but this one left me with nagging doubts. 1. The intactness: not a scratch, a lost stone, a crack in the handle 2. The decoration: the ornaments on the handle are very artistic; perhaps, too artistic. They reminded me of a multitude of bazaar Koummyas with camel bone or just plastic handles. 3.The construction also seems a bit flimsy, especially the baldric rings: they are nicely attached to the scabbard but I cannot imagine they can hold for a long time. 4.The size: yes, I know Nimcha by definition is something small. But all Moroccan Nimchas I have seen were cavalry swords, not naval cutlasses. This one is ~27", and would not be suitable for a horse ( even more, camel!)rider The blade is of strange configuration; I asked for better pics but did not get them. Where did my paranoia overcome me?

28th May 2006, 08:45 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	There is 'something' Ariel . The entire sword looks refurbished ; no gold decoration on the quillons , a lack of serious patina . I'm not surprised you were reluctant . The whole piece looks like it's never seen conflict ; more an old Lady than an old Warrior .

28th May 2006, 08:48 PM	#3
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Why paranoia? Because you're partially right, SenSei. There are still making nimchas in Morocco of similar quality, BUT your piece is an end of 19th century or early 20th century bazar piece... Verry beautifull, but not a combat weapon.

28th May 2006, 09:26 PM	#5
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Old = it looks old and if that ensemble is not old I quit on collecting. Bazar = overdecorated, strange attaching rings, there were tourism in morocco in between the 19/20th century. The rings are soldered to the scabbard? Take a look at Tirri's book there are a couple of them wich looks verry similar but still less decorated. A wall piece, but still a beautifull lady, SenSei.

29th May 2006, 12:32 AM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	A wall flower? Poll: Who would pay $800 for a decoration piece? Not me.

29th May 2006, 12:36 AM	#7
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	I bid on it and I had misgivings about my bid because it looked so new and gaudy. I was shocked when I got home and saw what it went for.