Very Nice Nimcha

fernando · 23rd April 2019, 02:23 PM

A super piece, Charles ... i'd say. Can you 'macro' that makers stamp ? ... just curious

.

Kubur · 23rd April 2019, 03:15 PM

One of the best Algerian nimcha ever!
I guess the guys of the Maritime museum will be jealous too
https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collec...cts/78504.html
I think that you are righ, I would say 18th c. for sure if not 17thc...

rickystl · 23rd April 2019, 04:09 PM

Hi Charles

While blades are not in my regular sphere of collecting, I must say that is a beautiful nimcha. What a wonderful piece. As they say......Don't think it gets any better than this......Congratulations. What an impressive piece.

Rick

Panzerraptor · 23rd April 2019, 04:24 PM

Whoa! That nimcha just screams grandiloquence! I've never before seen such a weapon of this type draped in such flair! You've really found a superb piece, especially for it being as old as you say it is!

The closest I have is a recently created Saif and Jambiya covered in gold as well. Though it's far from being as magnificent as what you carry. I must ask, where did you get such an impressive weapon?

TVV · 23rd April 2019, 05:11 PM

Charles, this example is sublime, among the best, if not the best nimcha we have seen on this forum. Thank you for sharing!

As far as dating goes, the earliest reliably dated nimcha is one in the Rijksmuseum which belonged to Michiel de Ruyter, which places it in the mid 1600s:

https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/NG-NM-10412

Yours should not be much later than that, so perhaps late 17th or early 18th century, at least as far as the blade is concerned. The enameled mounts and the baldric could be later. There are examples of a 19th century enameled Moroccan saif scabbards in the sold section of Oriental Arms:

http://oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=4522

http://oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=3908

I do not know how early the enameling decorating technique made it to Morocco, but my guess is that you have an old 17th or 18th century sword remounted in the 19th century. Whoever did it, preserved the original form of the guard and the hilt. As you can see on the Rijksmueum sword, the original scabbards were made of cloth and leather and these materials tend to deteriorate unless stored in a perfect environment. Obviously it belonged to someone quite prominent, who loved this sword as much as you do. Most of the early nimchas we see are trophies taken during the conflicts between Habsburgs and Ottomans, and it is great tos ee one that appears to have remained in the Maghreb for a little while longer.

What a great sword!

Teodor

Battara · 23rd April 2019, 06:33 PM

Dang it Charles, you just made my eyes pop out and roll on the floor. What's wrong with you!

CharlesS · 23rd April 2019, 08:39 PM

Gentlemen,

Thanks so much for your kind words and your additional contributions of information and photos!

I knew this one was something special the moment I saw it!

Battara, if you think your eyes were popping out when you saw it here, you should have seen Rsword and me when we first saw it in Baltimore. It was in a gun bag, not to be seen at the show, but we were allowed a glance and as we slowly pulled it out of the bag, we just looked at each other in amazement. The owner originally did not want to sell it but was kind enough to give me a shot at it when they saw my interest.

23rd April 2019, 08:39 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Gentlemen, Thanks so much for your kind words and your additional contributions of information and photos! I knew this one was something special the moment I saw it! Battara, if you think your eyes were popping out when you saw it here, you should have seen Rsword and me when we first saw it in Baltimore. It was in a gun bag, not to be seen at the show, but we were allowed a glance and as we slowly pulled it out of the bag, we just looked at each other in amazement. The owner originally did not want to sell it but was kind enough to give me a shot at it when they saw my interest. Last edited by CharlesS; 24th April 2019 at 12:34 PM.

23rd April 2019, 02:23 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A super piece, Charles ... i'd say. Can you 'macro' that makers stamp ? ... just curious .

23rd April 2019, 03:15 PM	#2
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	One of the best Algerian nimcha ever! I guess the guys of the Maritime museum will be jealous too https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collec...cts/78504.html I think that you are righ, I would say 18th c. for sure if not 17thc...

23rd April 2019, 04:09 PM	#3
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	Hi Charles While blades are not in my regular sphere of collecting, I must say that is a beautiful nimcha. What a wonderful piece. As they say......Don't think it gets any better than this......Congratulations. What an impressive piece. Rick

23rd April 2019, 04:24 PM	#4
Panzerraptor Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 16	Whoa! That nimcha just screams grandiloquence! I've never before seen such a weapon of this type draped in such flair! You've really found a superb piece, especially for it being as old as you say it is! The closest I have is a recently created Saif and Jambiya covered in gold as well. Though it's far from being as magnificent as what you carry. I must ask, where did you get such an impressive weapon?

23rd April 2019, 05:11 PM	#5
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	Charles, this example is sublime, among the best, if not the best nimcha we have seen on this forum. Thank you for sharing! As far as dating goes, the earliest reliably dated nimcha is one in the Rijksmuseum which belonged to Michiel de Ruyter, which places it in the mid 1600s: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/NG-NM-10412 Yours should not be much later than that, so perhaps late 17th or early 18th century, at least as far as the blade is concerned. The enameled mounts and the baldric could be later. There are examples of a 19th century enameled Moroccan saif scabbards in the sold section of Oriental Arms: http://oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=4522 http://oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=3908 I do not know how early the enameling decorating technique made it to Morocco, but my guess is that you have an old 17th or 18th century sword remounted in the 19th century. Whoever did it, preserved the original form of the guard and the hilt. As you can see on the Rijksmueum sword, the original scabbards were made of cloth and leather and these materials tend to deteriorate unless stored in a perfect environment. Obviously it belonged to someone quite prominent, who loved this sword as much as you do. Most of the early nimchas we see are trophies taken during the conflicts between Habsburgs and Ottomans, and it is great tos ee one that appears to have remained in the Maghreb for a little while longer. What a great sword! Teodor

23rd April 2019, 06:33 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Dang it Charles, you just made my eyes pop out and roll on the floor. What's wrong with you!