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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
These Ecole swords are indeed pretty unattractive and of course intended only for ceremonial or parade use, but their rarity is probably the most compelling factor for collectors. They are intriguing curiosities and seem to have some degree of connection in some fraternal type weapons, which are also gaining in popularity in collecting.
Good points on the Nasrid broadsword shown, and these swords may well have been what prompted Charles Buttin's suggestion for Spanish origin of these quillon arrangements. There was of course as mentioned considerable interaction between Italy and Spain through royal and diplomatic channels through the centuries, so tight similarities are not surprising.
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Salaams Jim,
Regarding quillons; The quillon style on North African Nimcha appears as a tear drop type whereas in Zanzibar Nimcha they are often Zoomorphic in design. Could it be that design structure was very much the domain of local fashion/craftsmanship allowing this form to flourish on Indian Ocean basin weapons. This form of quillon appears on Indian/Afghan Tulvar, Castane and Nimcha. The North African version takes its design from Italian and or Spanish design as a tear drop.
Pommels; I suggest that each of the variations in the two otherwise very similar weapons carries localized form including the pommel differences and gilded designs from similar African comb types as well as the zoomorphic shape atop the Zanzibar pommel (a Turtle?) the silver crown shaped ring at above the cross guard, the geometric straight lines in the pommel similar to the Castane, and the lionesque form of pommel with wide open mouth...
Blades...Help!! ...Does anyone have a stock answer to the variation in blades as the one below looks like an Afghan style stamp (1X1)...Naturally being based on a Hub... The Zanzibar Hub ...there was vast potential in blade supply and variation from European to Indian, Sri Lankan to Afghan etc... There is in addition the possibility of artisans from Sri Lanka actually working in Zanzibar putting the sword together in some sort of coordinated workshops? (although we have no knowledge of a Royal Workshop it is highly likely there was one)
Regional Players... All the major players were in the Indian Ocean and the EIC was known to have sword blades circulating from Bombay...The Portuguese who invented the term "Bombay" were prolific in trade dealing all around the region and particularly the Comores, Madagascar et al. French intervention in the late 19thC was also instrumental and must be considered when looking at this weapons development as is the probable input via Cairo and the Red Sea both the latter situations underlining the possible design flow of Algerian style...when many revolutionaries were banished to New Caledonia and the Comores..
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.