Interesting takouba for discussion

Iain · 3rd November 2010, 03:44 PM

I'm afraid I have onl the auction house picture for this, which doesn't show the whole sword, but at least the most interesting bits are visible.

Of course more detailed photos when I have it in hand, however I thought it's interesting enough to throw out for comments now.

It's a 19th century piece with a southern style hilt, looks to be a blade of good quality with well struck half moons. However what interests me is the base of the blade and the odd way it's mounted. I've never seen this type of a flange on a takouba before. It reminds me of Indian weapons such as the khanda.

Anyone seen this style of mount before in takouba or kaskara? I have no idea if it's an established variation, something borrowed from the sub-continent or just a random one time innovation by a local smith.

I've attached the forum sized picture and here's a link to the much bigger original.

Lee · 3rd November 2010, 10:35 PM

I have seen forte reinforcement plates, adabal, but always rectangular and never of this shape before. It will be interesting to learn if this is such a plate or whether it connects into the structure of the hilt as well!

Iain · 4th November 2010, 09:06 AM

Hi Lee,

This is also a new one for me. I've seen various decorated forte plates and stopper plates, but nothing that looked as structural as this.

Just from the appearance I'm assuming it's integral to the guard.

Martin Lubojacky · 4th November 2010, 10:36 PM

Hello,

This kind of sheath decoration should be Hausa style.

Iain · 5th November 2010, 09:19 AM

Cau Martin,

Thanks very much for the info. You just made my day! I actually just had an attempt to buy a Hausa sword fall through last month.

I've been looking for one that's identifiably Hausa for a while.

The leatherwork on this one had surprised me a bit as it was quite different that what I'm used to seeing on Tuareg pieces.

Thanks again,

Iain

Lee · 5th November 2010, 10:21 PM

Martin,

The picture below is of leatherwork from a couple of takoubas of the so-called 'southern' type that also have more brass-work on the hilt.

To me, these look more similar to Iain's sheath above than to the typical Tuareg scabbards coming from Agadez. Do these also appear Hausa to you?

3rd November 2010, 03:44 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Interesting takouba for discussion I'm afraid I have onl the auction house picture for this, which doesn't show the whole sword, but at least the most interesting bits are visible. Of course more detailed photos when I have it in hand, however I thought it's interesting enough to throw out for comments now. It's a 19th century piece with a southern style hilt, looks to be a blade of good quality with well struck half moons. However what interests me is the base of the blade and the odd way it's mounted. I've never seen this type of a flange on a takouba before. It reminds me of Indian weapons such as the khanda. Anyone seen this style of mount before in takouba or kaskara? I have no idea if it's an established variation, something borrowed from the sub-continent or just a random one time innovation by a local smith. I've attached the forum sized picture and here's a link to the much bigger original. Attached Images

3rd November 2010, 10:35 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	Nice! I have seen forte reinforcement plates, adabal, but always rectangular and never of this shape before. It will be interesting to learn if this is such a plate or whether it connects into the structure of the hilt as well!

5th November 2010, 10:21 PM	#6
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	A few more scabbards Martin, The picture below is of leatherwork from a couple of takoubas of the so-called 'southern' type that also have more brass-work on the hilt. To me, these look more similar to Iain's sheath above than to the typical Tuareg scabbards coming from Agadez. Do these also appear Hausa to you? Attached Images

4th November 2010, 09:06 AM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Hi Lee, This is also a new one for me. I've seen various decorated forte plates and stopper plates, but nothing that looked as structural as this. Just from the appearance I'm assuming it's integral to the guard.

4th November 2010, 10:36 PM	#4
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hello, This kind of sheath decoration should be Hausa style.

5th November 2010, 09:19 AM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Cau Martin, Thanks very much for the info. You just made my day! I actually just had an attempt to buy a Hausa sword fall through last month. I've been looking for one that's identifiably Hausa for a while. The leatherwork on this one had surprised me a bit as it was quite different that what I'm used to seeing on Tuareg pieces. Thanks again, Iain