Interesting takouba for discussion

[Lee]

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!

[Iain]

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.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hello,

This kind of sheath decoration should be Hausa style.

[Iain]

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

[Lee]

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?

[Martin Lubojacky]

Sorry for the late reply. I was om business trip and after arrival I forgot this discussion.

Since I arrived to Nigeria 3 years ago, I saw only one scabbard like that Iain´s one - with he same decoration. The sword was broader then the average, the scabbard laether was utterly black (neither red nor brown) with extremely nice patina and the whole handle was (unfortunately, I somehow do not like this material on African artefacts, but this is my problem)-made of alluminium. The sword as whole was nice and "old", used (even the handle). Somebody bought it already. The wendor told me it was Hausa sword. That´s all.

Before I worked also in Libya and I was - also - collecting edged weapons. I have never seen anything like this on Touareg scabbards. I think also Leeś scabbards are not typical for Touaregs.

Regards,

Martin

[Iain]

Time to revive this thread as I finally received the sword.

Here's the little writeup I did for my website...

A very interesting piece acquired at auction in Sweden. The hilt assembly is brass, heavy duty in construction and well balanced. The pommel is in an old style, very well formed, slight bend at one edge. Guard features interesting decorative motif detailed via pointillism. The entire assembly is covered in a brown substance, possibly paint. I am not sure if it is an original application or a later attempt at conservation. The layer is quite thick.

The base of the blade features an odd assemble with a set of riveted plates supporting the blade at the shoulder. These plates sandwich the blade, rather than the blade terminating when it meets the plates. Therefore the plates appear to be reenforcement rather than a repair to an older blade. The style is reminiscent of some Indian mountings.

The blade itself is well made, good quality half moon stamps and well forged fullers. Flex is excellent and the edge very keen. Tip exhibits extreme sharpening, obviously the blade was in use for a long, long time.

Overall, a good example of a non-Tuareg takouba with several unique characteristics.

I uploaded most of the pics here, there's a couple more here: http://takouba.org/takouba13/