A big happy takouba family

[Iain]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Lee]

I also do not recall having ever seen a Tifinagh inscription on a blade; signatures may be found on silver and brass mountings, however. Likely this is related to the severe superstitions against iron workers in that traditional culture.

I have spent many hours trying to resolve characters and design motifs out of corrosion and polishing noise on these blades. Many hours.

I may be wrong, but my tentative conclusion in examining the blades in my own collection has been that the light, etched engraving is local work, even though it may have been applied to what is clearly a European made (trade) blade and good desirable antique. In example I offer the very first takouba to enter my collection (for which I paid way too much for in Morocco in 1999). The evidence is motifs that just do not go together in a European context. Even carrying this conclusion, I still drool and lust for your classy example of the forum.

The takouba pages have become a painful reminder of the era of dial-up internet access, with their tiny images and multiple pages to conserve bandwidth and get a tolerable page load speed. So much of the static portion of the site needs a makeover...

[Iain]

Hi Lee,

I think you correct. For one thing my "wolf" looks far more like a sheep! Oddly this makes the piece more attractive to me as my interest is more towards natively made pieces. In fact I wonder if the blade is even a European import? The profile, execution of the central fuller and the two small side fullers is unlike anything I've seen before from a European trade blade.

Perhaps this is a entirely native piece? I will have to review Briggs again as I recall he discussed these possibilities somewhat extensively.

Best,

Iain

[Lee]

Hello Iain,

Unfortunately there are the occasional borderline examples and rare obvious exceptions to this rule, but, after you have physically handled a number of these, usually you may use flexibility to assess the origin of your takouba and kaskara blades. Attempt to gently flex the blade in your hands - a European antique will curve with light force and spring right back to straight when released. A local blade will be much more rigid and, if you apply sufficient force, will bend and remain bent. So, gentle does it! As an alternative, you can bounce the flat of the blade against the side of your leg while standing - the European blade will vibrate while the more rigid local blade will react more with a dead thud. Some of this is alloy and heat treatment (which in the laboratory may be quantified with hardness tests and micro-structural analysis) and some is thickness and cross section.

I have seen a few of these, like yours, with the broad central fuller having a narrow fuller on either side and I recall they have always given the impression of well-formed, quality blades. Somehow, amazingly, I have failed to acquire an example of my own. There was such a nice one with silver mounts on offer in Agadez in 2001, but I was still reeling and impecunious from my adventure with Tuareg brigands in the dunes.