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Originally Posted by Kubur
Oh I see. Two questions from an ignorant, do you think that all the fancy & shiny mounts are recent? And do you think that the blade can be older than the 18th c.?
thanks
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Yes and yes is the short answer.
These elaborate silver mounts are entirely new. This is in part due to the evolution of the takouba from a fighting sword to a part of traditional costume and cultural item.
Older (19th century and earlier) mounts often have a highly decorated brass plate or some engraving on the pommel but nothing on the level of the newer swords.
This blade, Lee would be best placed to date it, but given the form it could date to the late 17th century. Hard to say exactly from the one image.
However while this would be quite an old blade for takouba it isn't that unusual. Of the few swords I have retained in my collection one has a 14th century blade, one a 15th century and I've had and passed on blades ranging from the 16th-18th centuries.
While these are in the minority of most takoubas on the market they do exist!