Takouba with silvered hilt and European blade

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

A good looking older sword, Iain - congratulations. I do like the "brazil nut" pommel and the silvered brass.

The semi-circular decorative elements on the cross-piece look a bit like shackles or leg-irons ??

Regards.

Hi Colin,

Interesting thought on the decorative elements. Hadn't looked at it that way before. I'm more inclined to think its simply a geometric motif, but slaving certainly was a big industry in these parts.

I have a feeling I've seen the vertical 'V' shapes somewhere before. Just can't recall where!

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

Hi Iain,
there is no "four-leaf design on metal parts", but still - what about Nupe ? (I enclose picture of an old wooden Nupe plate).
I think your collection of Takoubas is pretty representative now
Refgards,
Martin

Hi Martin,

Nupe is certainly a possibility, although the decoration still seems strange for that - the little loop shapes and the stacked 'V's really seem like something I've seen before. The brass hilt and brass scabbard arm daggers are from Bida usually and show the usual range of motifs used by the Nupe (link to example). But this doesn't necessarily mean anything as this could just be an unusual variant and perhaps just a bit older than most encountered. Bida was famed for silver as well as brass work.


On a more general note, I thought I'd add here a few notes on takouba weights. I picked up a digital scale today and have been having some fun with it. Rather than boring you all with pictures of swords you've already seen I'll just post links and weights.

1. Standard brass hilt takouba with triple fuller blade
711g

2. Very wide bladed takouba with brass hilt and forte plate
873g

3. Medieval bladed takouba
1189g

4. Silvered takouba (the one in this thread)
1029

Obviously the couple with European blades in here are dramatically heavier (the heavier one is really up there due to massive steel forte plates). When I have the time I'm planning to do a little chart of weights and measurements of the swords I currently have around.