A koummya- and contexts

[Pertinax]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Yuri,

A most beautiful koummya, congrats! Are you sure that the handle is from ivory? Is there something missing at the handle?

Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef, thank you!

I might be wrong about the ivory, but if it's sperm whale or walrus tusk, which was very rare in the Middle East and Morocco, the item's value increases significantly. And ivory was transported from Africa to ports in the Maghreb for several centuries.

Yes, there was probably something on the handle, but how can we tell now? Although, note, it's the inside of the dagger.

I have a sperm whale tooth; I could make dagger handles.

Sincerely,
Yuri

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Pertinax

I might be wrong about the ivory, but if it's sperm whale or walrus tusk, which was very rare in the Middle East and Morocco, the item's value increases significantly. And ivory was transported from Africa to ports in the Maghreb for several centuries.

Sorry Yuri,

It looks more than bone to my eyes, camel bone maybe?

Regards,
Detlef

[Pertinax]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Sorry Yuri,

It looks more than bone to my eyes, camel bone maybe?

Regards,
Detlef

Thanks, Detlef!

I'm not very knowledgeable about bone types, and I don't have a camel bone, so I can't compare.

Here's a photo for comparison:
Dha - elephant
Tooth - sperm whale

I'd appreciate any comments; I want to get to the bottom of this.

Sincerely,
Yuri

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Pertinax

Thanks, Detlef!

I'm not very knowledgeable about bone types, and I don't have a camel bone, so I can't compare.

Here's a photo for comparison:
Dha - elephant
Tooth - sperm whale

I'd appreciate any comments; I want to get to the bottom of this.

Sincerely,
Yuri

Hi Yuri,

At the hole of the back handle scale I see something like porousness as well at the side view so I guess that it is some sort of bone but like always I could be wrong.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Pertinax]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Yuri,

At the hole of the back handle scale I see something like porousness as well at the side view so I guess that it is some sort of bone but like always I could be wrong.

Best regards,
Detlef

Thanks, Detlef!

The hole is sealed with glue; apparently, there used to be some kind of decoration there. I cleaned the hole a bit and examined it with a magnifying glass and flashlight. The structure is dense and non-porous, with no visible dentin. The thickness is similar to the ends of the handle.

Sincerely,
Yuri

[TVV]

I personally value craftsmanship and overall quality and esthetics above materials used. To me therefore whether the hilt is ivory or not would not be that important. Yuri's koummiya is very well made, with a good imported blade and quality silver fittings, and clearly an antique. That is enough for me to call it a great example. With all the regulatory issues surrounding endangered species, there are also advantages to not having certain materials. Even if ivory is legal in Russia today, all it takes is one change in legislation to find yourself in a potential tricky situation.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by TVV

I personally value craftsmanship and overall quality and esthetics above materials used. To me therefore whether the hilt is ivory or not would not be that important. Yuri's koummiya is very well made, with a good imported blade and quality silver fittings, and clearly an antique. That is enough for me to call it a great example. With all the regulatory issues surrounding endangered species, there are also advantages to not having certain materials. Even if ivory is legal in Russia today, all it takes is one change in legislation to find yourself in a potential tricky situation.

Agree completely with you, it's a very nice koummya and it's not very important from which material the handle is from.

[Pertinax]

Originally Posted by TVV

I personally value craftsmanship and overall quality and esthetics above materials used. To me therefore whether the hilt is ivory or not would not be that important. Yuri's koummiya is very well made, with a good imported blade and quality silver fittings, and clearly an antique. That is enough for me to call it a great example. With all the regulatory issues surrounding endangered species, there are also advantages to not having certain materials. Even if ivory is legal in Russia today, all it takes is one change in legislation to find yourself in a potential tricky situation.

I completely agree with you about the aesthetics and artistic value of the item. I haven't come across a decent kummiya in a long time; unfortunately, the market is flooded with cheap tourist specimens, which, in my opinion, only discredit this remarkable weapon. But it's always a good idea to explore all the nuances.

Regarding the imported blade, I don't entirely agree. I believe we underestimate the skill of Moroccan artisans, and not only Moroccan ones. Often, as soon as an extraordinary ethnographic object is discovered, the urge arises to label it as "imported."Regarding the imported blade, I don't entirely agree. I believe we underestimate the skill of Moroccan artisans, and not only Moroccan ones. Often, as soon as an extraordinary ethnographic object is discovered, the urge arises to label it as "imported."

Sincerely,
Yuri

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Pertinax

The hole is sealed with glue; apparently, there used to be some kind of decoration there. I cleaned the hole a bit and examined it with a magnifying glass and flashlight. The structure is dense and non-porous, with no visible dentin. The thickness is similar to the ends of the handle.

Like TVV said, your koummya is a very nice and high quality one, for me it wouldn't be too important from which material the handle is made!

Best regards,
Detlef