An Haussa takouba

Sajen · 23rd May 2020, 12:06 PM

Hi Yvain,

Thank you for your explanation!

And looking again to the pictures from the blade, you could very well be correct, it look like this.

Regards,
Detlef

Yvain · 23rd May 2020, 07:39 PM

You're welcome Detlef,

I've started studying the subject some months ago, and I find those swords fascinating, guess I'm part of the takouba fan club now !

I would have been really interested to examine the blade up close, as I have the suspiscion it would have given us a lot of interesting information regarding bladesmithing in the area, but I guess I will have to wait it to go on the market again eventually

Martin Lubojacky · 24th May 2020, 06:51 PM

I also think that the ornament extruded in the skin (small triangles in the rows) indicatecsa "Nigerian" origin of the scabbard. (I hope that Iain as expert will add his comment)

TVV · 25th May 2020, 05:04 PM

Yvain,

While the pommel looks old, the rest of the fittings do not seem to match it in age. Nice takouba, but I do not think you missed out on something unique and amazing.

Teodor

Yvain · 25th May 2020, 07:17 PM

Hi Theodor,

What makes you think that ? It was most likely cleaned indeed, hence the "new and shiny" look of the brass, but otherwise it is stylistically similar to known example from the end of the XIXth / very early XXth century, while more recent takouba (post 1940 / 50) have a really distinct style.

The pommel and the blade could indeed be older, but I don't think the rest of the fittings are that recent either.

(And I do understand it wasn't really unique, but to me it was a really appealing, harmonious, sword; perhaps because I practice HEMA, and appreciate how effective or balanced a weapon might look

)

EDIT : I also have seen takouba where the pommel was treated (maybe oil blackened) to give it a darker finish than the rest of the hilt, which could be the case here.

TVV · 26th May 2020, 12:18 AM

Apart from lacking patina, the fittings seem off compared to fittings on older takouba. I believe the sword in this thread is a 19th century blade and pommel, with the hilt and scabbard restored more recently in an attempt to emulate older work, but as usual, it is impossible for modern craftsmen to get it perfectly right, unless they are extremely specialized in antique weapons such as Phillip Tom for example. I can guarantee you that 19th century leather from the Sahel would not look this well preserved either.

Teodor

Yvain · 26th May 2020, 01:31 AM

Interesting, what date would you attribute to the fittings and scabbard ? And why do you think someone would try to emulate older style takouba ? That would be the first one I see one trying to look older than it is

26th May 2020, 12:18 AM	#6
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,721	Apart from lacking patina, the fittings seem off compared to fittings on older takouba. I believe the sword in this thread is a 19th century blade and pommel, with the hilt and scabbard restored more recently in an attempt to emulate older work, but as usual, it is impossible for modern craftsmen to get it perfectly right, unless they are extremely specialized in antique weapons such as Phillip Tom for example. I can guarantee you that 19th century leather from the Sahel would not look this well preserved either. Teodor Attached Images

23rd May 2020, 12:06 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,394	Hi Yvain, Thank you for your explanation! And looking again to the pictures from the blade, you could very well be correct, it look like this. Regards, Detlef

23rd May 2020, 07:39 PM	#2
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 181	You're welcome Detlef, I've started studying the subject some months ago, and I find those swords fascinating, guess I'm part of the takouba fan club now ! I would have been really interested to examine the blade up close, as I have the suspiscion it would have given us a lot of interesting information regarding bladesmithing in the area, but I guess I will have to wait it to go on the market again eventually

24th May 2020, 06:51 PM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	I also think that the ornament extruded in the skin (small triangles in the rows) indicatecsa "Nigerian" origin of the scabbard. (I hope that Iain as expert will add his comment)

25th May 2020, 05:04 PM	#4
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,721	Yvain, While the pommel looks old, the rest of the fittings do not seem to match it in age. Nice takouba, but I do not think you missed out on something unique and amazing. Teodor

25th May 2020, 07:17 PM	#5
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 181	Hi Theodor, What makes you think that ? It was most likely cleaned indeed, hence the "new and shiny" look of the brass, but otherwise it is stylistically similar to known example from the end of the XIXth / very early XXth century, while more recent takouba (post 1940 / 50) have a really distinct style. The pommel and the blade could indeed be older, but I don't think the rest of the fittings are that recent either. (And I do understand it wasn't really unique, but to me it was a really appealing, harmonious, sword; perhaps because I practice HEMA, and appreciate how effective or balanced a weapon might look ) EDIT : I also have seen takouba where the pommel was treated (maybe oil blackened) to give it a darker finish than the rest of the hilt, which could be the case here.

26th May 2020, 01:31 AM	#7
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 181	Interesting, what date would you attribute to the fittings and scabbard ? And why do you think someone would try to emulate older style takouba ? That would be the first one I see one trying to look older than it is