Koummya for comment

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 10th June 2017, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatyana Dianova

As already noted, the Koumiya of the topic starter has a silver mark.
It is a silver mark from Marrakech from the 1918. Since the scabbard is oval, the visible mark is incomplete, the date should be 1337 with Arabic writing.
Several towns in Morocco has used each its own silver marks which changed over the time. In the reference book I have used (Bijoux du Maroc by Marie-Rose Rabate) there are several pages with the Moroccan silver marks.

Reference;
A. http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/koummya/index.html
B. http://nimcha.fr/koummya.htm

Well spotted Tatyana Dianova~ I must get that book... Quite normal for silver marks to be either missing one digit or a digit rubbed out in polishing...or an unclear strike caused by in this case an oval scabbard.

I found it a fascinating but at times somewhat weird: It is entirely normal in Morocco to be asked the same thing in Arabic and French in the same sentence "Kayf Haalak, quesque tu fait, tu va bien? "

In addition I have to say that it is a wonderful place and probably the closest to its past than any other Arabic country...What I mean is the Talismanic and superstitious aspect of rural life is very much apparent with Marabouts (Magic Men) wandering about openly and a real close belief in an ancient occult-like system very much still part of Moroccan rural society.

I had been playing with the idea that this could have been a mark applied by a French artesan but I have given up on that ... For Moroccan work we need an in country member dedicated to wandering the bazaars cataloging the wonderful artefacts ... I'm up for that !!! ..

It is great to see impressive support and back up from Oliver and Jim and others ...

Regards.
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Tatyana Dianova · 10th June 2017, 08:34 PM

It looks like the back of scabbard has the lower part of the silver stamp!
The silver marks are in the second volume of the series: Bijoux du Maroc Du Haut Atlas a la Mediterranee, and this book is difficult to find and it is very expensive. The smart priced one is a second edition of the first volume Bijoux du Maroc Du Haut Atlas à la vallée du Draa. My first edition of this book has no silver marks in it.
Here is the picture:

AKay · 10th June 2017, 08:50 PM

Thank you Tatyana,

You have nailed it!
Thanks for uploading the pic!!

Thanks to all for the info and replys and kind words.

motan · 11th June 2017, 10:14 AM

Thank you Tatyana and Ibrahiim, excellent information. I have nothing to add.

10th June 2017, 08:34 PM	#2
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 743	It looks like the back of scabbard has the lower part of the silver stamp! The silver marks are in the second volume of the series: Bijoux du Maroc Du Haut Atlas a la Mediterranee, and this book is difficult to find and it is very expensive. The smart priced one is a second edition of the first volume Bijoux du Maroc Du Haut Atlas à la vallée du Draa. My first edition of this book has no silver marks in it. Here is the picture: Attached Images Last edited by Tatyana Dianova; 10th June 2017 at 08:51 PM.

10th June 2017, 08:50 PM	#3
AKay Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: London Posts: 6	Thank you Tatyana, You have nailed it! Thanks for uploading the pic!! Thanks to all for the info and replys and kind words.

11th June 2017, 10:14 AM	#4
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	Thank you Tatyana and Ibrahiim, excellent information. I have nothing to add.