Very Nice Nimcha

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.

Bob A · 23rd April 2019, 09:12 PM

Fantastic sword!

I'm surprised you were able to coax the owner into letting it go. Were hostages involved?

ariel · 24th April 2019, 01:06 AM

Charles, you are outdoing yourself time and time again!
Absolutely gorgeous!

However, I do not think it is North African. IMHO, it is South Arabian, likely Omani. My main point is the configuration of the blade: widening toward the tip. Similar configuration is seen in Elgood’s book on weapons of Arabia ( Fig. 2.1 and by description 2.2). Seems to me it is quite short: thus a genuine “nimcha”:-), a naval cutlass, so popular with seafaring Omanis.

Also, the lavish decoration is very reminiscent of the luxurious Zanzibari nimchas with gold coins on the handle from Buttin’s catalogue ( plate XXX) and Hales’ catalogue ( Figs. 589-90). Similarly “segmented” decor of the scabbard is also seen in the same book ( 2.18 and2.21)

Also, you might recall Elgood’s comment about Bukharans in Oman. They brought enameling there.

I doubt there is an iron-clad provenance, so that’s only my gut feeling.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 24th April 2019, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Charles, you are outdoing yourself time and time again!
Absolutely gorgeous!

However, I do not think it is North African. IMHO, it is South Arabian, likely Omani. My main point is the configuration of the blade: widening toward the tip. Similar configuration is seen in Elgood’s book on weapons of Arabia ( Fig. 2.1 and by description 2.2). Seems to me it is quite short: thus a genuine “nimcha”:-), a naval cutlass, so popular with seafaring Omanis.

Also, the lavish decoration is very reminiscent of the luxurious Zanzibari nimchas with gold coins on the handle from Buttin’s catalogue ( plate XXX) and Hales’ catalogue ( Figs. 589-90). Similarly “segmented” decor of the scabbard is also seen in the same book ( 2.18 and2.21)

Also, you might recall Elgood’s comment about Bukharans in Oman. They brought enameling there.

I doubt there is an iron-clad provenance, so that’s only my gut feeling.

Its not a weapon I have ever seen in Oman. This does however, satisfy the equation of being Algerian . The https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/search...t=Objects&ii=0 I Couldn't shrink it in size to fit EAA parameters... but you can see it on the web..The example has a part tortoiseshell hilt although it may well be of the same family . The provenance is in my opinion Algerian... surely it has to be off the coast as it is every inch a corsairs weapon. However having said that I have not got the Hales or Elgood reference work before me.. ~ Regarding coins on Omani or Zanzibari items I take it on those with Ivory hilts and gold work probably added by goldsmiths on the Zanj or even in Stonetown… These are not coins but circular shapes along with leaf shaped designs from the African comb making fraternity; see below..
I doubt if there is such an animal as a Zanzibari Nimcha and to my eye Butin got as close as any expert in his three plates which I placed at an earlier thread but I believe his detail still accurate and on his 3 plates there is no mention of Zanzibar...therefor
please see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23387 post 12 and viewing plate XXX 993 994 995 … The project Nimcha is seen as one of those .It may even be on Plate XXX11 991... Shown as an other oriental design.

I must confess I have never seen Bukharen work in Oman...although in the Yemen, yes, for good historical reasons and known links… Further I have no recollection of enameling work here .. Do you mean Yemen also?

ALEX · 30th April 2019, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Charles, you are outdoing yourself time and time again!
Absolutely gorgeous!
...
Also, you might recall Elgood’s comment about Bukharans in Oman. They brought enameling there.
...
I doubt there is an iron-clad provenance, so that’s only my gut feeling.

Charles, I cannot help but say: 'what a sword!!!!!!!" Congratulations!
To elaborate on Ariel's 'gut feeling', here is Bukharan enamel box that displays some similarities in pattern and technique. I think Ariel (and Elgood) comments can be given serious consideration here.

23rd April 2019, 08:39 PM	#4
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.

24th April 2019, 01:06 AM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Charles, you are outdoing yourself time and time again! Absolutely gorgeous! However, I do not think it is North African. IMHO, it is South Arabian, likely Omani. My main point is the configuration of the blade: widening toward the tip. Similar configuration is seen in Elgood’s book on weapons of Arabia ( Fig. 2.1 and by description 2.2). Seems to me it is quite short: thus a genuine “nimcha”:-), a naval cutlass, so popular with seafaring Omanis. Also, the lavish decoration is very reminiscent of the luxurious Zanzibari nimchas with gold coins on the handle from Buttin’s catalogue ( plate XXX) and Hales’ catalogue ( Figs. 589-90). Similarly “segmented” decor of the scabbard is also seen in the same book ( 2.18 and2.21) Also, you might recall Elgood’s comment about Bukharans in Oman. They brought enameling there. I doubt there is an iron-clad provenance, so that’s only my gut feeling. Last edited by ariel; 24th April 2019 at 06:07 AM.

23rd April 2019, 04:24 PM	#1
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	#2
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	#3
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!

23rd April 2019, 09:12 PM	#5
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 435	Fantastic sword! I'm surprised you were able to coax the owner into letting it go. Were hostages involved?