A big happy takouba family

ariel · 17th September 2010, 11:26 AM

Is it my imagination, or do I see remnants of european lettering in the central fuller? D? L?

Iain · 17th September 2010, 12:39 PM

Which side of the orb do you think you see it Ariel? I'd looked for anything else before but its entirely possible I missed it...

It's got the corrosion patterns that seem to form a lot of things... But I'd be very happy if there was something more.

I'll take a look at it again tonight when I'm home from the office.

Best,

Iain

spiral · 17th September 2010, 01:07 PM

Rust can do funny things but I see a capital E.

Spiral

Iain · 17th September 2010, 01:57 PM

I can see how it would appear that way Spiral but I don't think it is. Let me post the highest rez closeup I have of the cross and orb with a different orientation.

I'd really like to find some lettering, and maybe I'm just blind, but I don't see it.

But keep trying guys you'll make me very happy if we do find an inscription!

Best,

Iain

Iain · 17th September 2010, 06:10 PM

I don't like double posting but... I got home today and had another look at this takouba under a strong light. No inscription I'm afraid but... I did find this.

I know Jim is well versed in this, I at least haven't seen the wolf executed this way before?

fearn · 17th September 2010, 09:40 PM

Hi Iain,

Thanks to your website, I got a little more informed about Takoubas.

Here's a suggestion: instead of cross and orb, maybe those are letters in the Tifinagh alphabet?

Best,

F

Iain · 20th September 2010, 08:18 AM

Interesting idea Fearn. However as far as I know Arabic script is usually used by the Tuareg for most inscriptions intended for general showing (I noticed this was also mentioned on the link you provided).

However, putting that aside because who knows, strange things can happen, the closest I can see for a match would be two letters, 'B' and 'T.' That's pretty cryptic and given the wolf engraving on the other side I'm pretty comfortable sticking with European for a source of the markings.

Although it is a tad weird to see a mark normally associated with Solingen shops along with the wolf which as far as I know was usually associated with Passau. Nothing is ever simple!

Thanks again for the suggestion though. I've encountered little Tuareg engraving on blades but there's always a potential first time.

Best,

Iain

17th September 2010, 01:07 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Rust can do funny things but I see a capital E. Spiral Attached Images

17th September 2010, 01:57 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	I can see how it would appear that way Spiral but I don't think it is. Let me post the highest rez closeup I have of the cross and orb with a different orientation. I'd really like to find some lettering, and maybe I'm just blind, but I don't see it. But keep trying guys you'll make me very happy if we do find an inscription! Best, Iain Attached Images

17th September 2010, 06:10 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	I don't like double posting but... I got home today and had another look at this takouba under a strong light. No inscription I'm afraid but... I did find this. I know Jim is well versed in this, I at least haven't seen the wolf executed this way before? Attached Images

17th September 2010, 11:26 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Is it my imagination, or do I see remnants of european lettering in the central fuller? D? L?

17th September 2010, 12:39 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Which side of the orb do you think you see it Ariel? I'd looked for anything else before but its entirely possible I missed it... It's got the corrosion patterns that seem to form a lot of things... But I'd be very happy if there was something more. I'll take a look at it again tonight when I'm home from the office. Best, Iain

17th September 2010, 09:40 PM	#6
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Iain, Thanks to your website, I got a little more informed about Takoubas. Here's a suggestion: instead of cross and orb, maybe those are letters in the Tifinagh alphabet? Best, F

20th September 2010, 08:18 AM	#7
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Interesting idea Fearn. However as far as I know Arabic script is usually used by the Tuareg for most inscriptions intended for general showing (I noticed this was also mentioned on the link you provided). However, putting that aside because who knows, strange things can happen, the closest I can see for a match would be two letters, 'B' and 'T.' That's pretty cryptic and given the wolf engraving on the other side I'm pretty comfortable sticking with European for a source of the markings. Although it is a tad weird to see a mark normally associated with Solingen shops along with the wolf which as far as I know was usually associated with Passau. Nothing is ever simple! Thanks again for the suggestion though. I've encountered little Tuareg engraving on blades but there's always a potential first time. Best, Iain