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3rd November 2010, 03:44 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
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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. |
3rd November 2010, 10:35 PM | #2 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upstate New York, USA
Posts: 913
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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!
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4th November 2010, 09:06 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
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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 |
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 841
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Hello,
This kind of sheath decoration should be Hausa style. |
5th November 2010, 09:19 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
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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 |
5th November 2010, 10:21 PM | #6 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upstate New York, USA
Posts: 913
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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? |
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