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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
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Hi all,
Rather than make a few threads I thought I'd just share some recent additions in one go. 1. I put this on here before for a scabbard ID, now I have it in hand, a European blade sword of very fine quality marked with a running wolf. One of the best examples I've had the privilege to handle and I think a quite early example. 2. A very wide bladed sword, mainly of interest for the extreme proportions. 3. An interesting sword with I think a native blade (it was in rough shape when I got it and the blade required some straightening). Oddly marked but obviously of good age. If anyone thinks they can help ID the scabbard on 1 I'll supply some detail shots of the leatherwork. ![]() Hope you enjoy seeing these, for me at least, the variety in this form continues to be fascinating. Regards, Iain |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
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Fine swords Iain - thanks for posting. The blade on sword no. 2 looks as if its from an old European woodsaw blade, converted.
Regards. |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
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Hi Colin, as always thanks for the comments.
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#4 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,614
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Very nice Iain, thank you for sharing. My guess is that the running wolf and the circular marking (orb/sun?) were applied to the blade after it reached the Sahel. What do you think?
Regards, Teodor |
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#5 | |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
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![]() Quote:
Actually I lean towards the wolf and orb being legit in this case. A friend and fellow forum member has a blade to the same pattern and the same marks, also showing great age. http://takouba.org/catalog/index.php...olf/takouba-38 On his you can see the orb much clearer. I could be wrong, but these seem to be well enough made and found in a context that makes sense. Cheers, Iain |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Bay Area
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Iain,
It will probably be too difficult to tell one way or another with any certainty. Are the markings stamped or scratched? Teodor |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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Hi Iain
From memory - there is an excellent, but scarce book, called "Au Sahara" by Gabus ?, which has lots of designs etc., if you can lay your hands on a copy... |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
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Hi Colin,
Thanks for the suggestion, I will try to find the book you mentioned. Sounds intriguing! I will take some photos soon of a Manding scabbard I have that has some interesting similarities with this one. For example leather applied over textile and the interwoven squares among the patterns. Regards, Iain |
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#9 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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![]() Quote:
Those patterns of small boxes remind me a bit of amuletic squares, containing magic numbers etc ?? The other half circles and triangles are often seen on Sahel/Sahara jewellery and leather work, such as bags, saddle covers and the like... All the best, Colin |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
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Here's a comparison showing a Manding scabbard I have and this takouba scabbard. With the elements I'm seeing in common highlighted.
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#11 |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
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To add to the post above... Here's a Nupe stool with some strikingly similar patterns and color work. However I would find it odd if this scabbard is Nupe since there's plenty of other Nupe scabbards on takouba around and none of them look like this...
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