A little Sahel/Maghreb panoply...

[colin henshaw]

Fine pieces, Iain. Where exactly is the dagger from ?

Regards.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Fine pieces, Iain. Where exactly is the dagger from ?

Regards.

Thanks Colin, I am particularly pleased with the single fuller sword.

The dagger should be from Mauritania or Mali. Or at least that's what I think was suggested sometime ago when I first showed off seller photos of the dagger on the forum. It's a pretty little thing and very well put together.

[thinreadline]

Very nice Iain , I too like the single fuller takouba . Never seen a dagger like that , its most unusual .

[CharlesS]

Iain,

Lovely pieces. The takoubas look to have quality and sturdier than usual blades. Both are quite nice!

I have heard of the dagger style being referenced to Senegal, but have never seen a stitch of written or illustrated evidence. I think those dagger types are lovely and elegant. They may borrow a little from the Moroccan koummya, but there is nothing else quite like them in the Islamic blade arsenal.

[Robert]

Absolutely wonderful pieces Iain, and like you I am really impressed with the one that has the single fuller. Could you possible post a few detailed photos of it as well as that lovely dagger that is shown?

Best,
Robert

[Iain]

Thanks for the comments guys.

First the dagger, yes I've heard Senegal as well. That would be the northern section as I understand it, moving up into Mauritania. This area is a melting pot of Berber, Arab and other influences like Wolof. What you see I think is a result of that, showing a bit of Berber/Moroccan influence for sure as Charles points out.

(I apologize in advance for the less than perfect images, too sunny out today in my garden!)

[Iain]

Next up the triple fuller takouba. It's had a hard life! But it's one of the truly old ones with bit sturdy iron pommel and great balance.

Interestingly this one never had brass guard plates, the one side, the iron plate is decorated. Which is rather unusual.