Thuluth calligraphy: How Widely Used on Weapons and Regional Application

Jim McDougall · 18th July 2010, 11:01 PM

I found some information, though it does not specify what type of acid was used. It seems that this etching work was done primarily in the Mahdist arsenals at Omdurman.
The weapon was blue heat tempered or fire blued until the surface forms a thin layer of magnetite, upon which the blued surface has the design or in this case inscription , applied with a mastic resin resist material , then the acid is applied. The acid pits the exposed metal leaving a raised design where the resist was applied.
When the kaskara (in this case) or weapon was finished, it was bright with dark blue etched writing. This must have been an incredibly dramatic appearance which would have deeply inspired the ansar who would wield these weapons. Naturally over time and wear, the inscription would become metallic as the bluing wore away, while the background of the blade would darken in contrast.

This is my obviously lay interpretation of this process, and I would beg the indulgence of the metallurgists reading this

but I wanted to at least give what perspective I could to how this was done.

kronckew · 19th July 2010, 12:31 PM

one from a bit further east

tumbuk lada with cockatoo head grip. similar inscription to the one in the style examples above. the raised letters are bright, the etched backgrounds are blackened.

Jim McDougall · 19th July 2010, 07:21 PM

Outstanding Kronckew !!! Theres one, and great example. I wish I had that Cato article which I think was about Islamic swords of the Philippines and was in "Arts of Asia" years ago. It seems that there were inscriptions on a number of Moro weapons and perhaps thuluth might have been used.
Thank you so much for helping with this

All the best,
Jim

Tim Simmons · 19th July 2010, 08:45 PM

Thank you kronckew. Now there is an Indonesian weapon here I was expecting a swamping of interest, but so far still rather slow. Members have the weapons African or Indonesian and esle where. It is difficult to move forward without participation.

We have the members that can read this stuff. How do the readings differ?

I made this last pic fit my monitor.

kronckew · 19th July 2010, 09:53 PM

back to omdurman...

as another contrast

19th July 2010, 12:31 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	one from a bit further east tumbuk lada with cockatoo head grip. similar inscription to the one in the style examples above. the raised letters are bright, the etched backgrounds are blackened. Last edited by kronckew; 19th July 2010 at 12:49 PM.

19th July 2010, 08:45 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Thank you kronckew. Now there is an Indonesian weapon here I was expecting a swamping of interest, but so far still rather slow. Members have the weapons African or Indonesian and esle where. It is difficult to move forward without participation. We have the members that can read this stuff. How do the readings differ? I made this last pic fit my monitor. Attached Images

18th July 2010, 11:01 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,191	I found some information, though it does not specify what type of acid was used. It seems that this etching work was done primarily in the Mahdist arsenals at Omdurman. The weapon was blue heat tempered or fire blued until the surface forms a thin layer of magnetite, upon which the blued surface has the design or in this case inscription , applied with a mastic resin resist material , then the acid is applied. The acid pits the exposed metal leaving a raised design where the resist was applied. When the kaskara (in this case) or weapon was finished, it was bright with dark blue etched writing. This must have been an incredibly dramatic appearance which would have deeply inspired the ansar who would wield these weapons. Naturally over time and wear, the inscription would become metallic as the bluing wore away, while the background of the blade would darken in contrast. This is my obviously lay interpretation of this process, and I would beg the indulgence of the metallurgists reading this but I wanted to at least give what perspective I could to how this was done.

19th July 2010, 07:21 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,191	Outstanding Kronckew !!! Theres one, and great example. I wish I had that Cato article which I think was about Islamic swords of the Philippines and was in "Arts of Asia" years ago. It seems that there were inscriptions on a number of Moro weapons and perhaps thuluth might have been used. Thank you so much for helping with this All the best, Jim

19th July 2010, 09:53 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	back to omdurman... as another contrast