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22nd July 2009, 07:42 PM
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#1 |
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Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 10,281
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Hi Stephen,
I am always impressed at the astounding ability you have if finding remarkable examples of kaskara! This one is, of course, quite intriguing, especially because of yet another strange marking. It is always amplified by the appearance of a corroborating mark of the same kind found on the same type weapon, naturally suggesting the same workshop. We have encountered other examples with corroborative marks here, I think both Rick and Charles I think have examples with a horned disc type mark at the forte on kaskaras they hold. If I recall, the marks are stamped but only appear obverse, not on both sides. These I have taken for possibly arsenal marks. I have one as well but am trying to find the photos. The strange geometric device on this example appears, as noted, on both sides (I dont know if Colin's was on both sides), and occurs near the forte. I have seen kaskara with a bird type mark more to mid blade as well (again do not recall if both sides). I feel that application of these markings at that location on the blade would be more likely to have either talismanic or invocative meanings. These are certainly native blades and clearly do not reflect the more common interpretation of the familiar European trade blades. On Stephens example, there does seem to be traces of a dukari (crescent moon device) within the geometric, well worn away. While the suggestion of a comet is indeed significant in Muslim history as preceeding monumental events, I am not yet certain that this marking would lend to that perspective, though the stylized disc with tail is certainly compelling. The dukari, or crescent moon, is of course familiar to us as the paired moons which seem to occur consistantly on the native blades of the Saharan takouba. We know they do occur on occasion of kaskara blades, and presume these are most likely from Hausa smiths (Briggs). I think it will take some looking into Sudanese art and cultural symbolism to learn more on this marking, and quite possibly finding more on symbols reflecting a comet. Absolutely fascinating marking! All the best, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 23rd July 2009 at 11:58 AM. Reason: wording |
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22nd July 2009, 09:05 PM
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#2 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 692
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"The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity; and it was not meant that we should voyage far." H.P. Lovecraft
"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn." No... beware! this.... this.... this.... IS THE MARK OF CTULHU! And it is calling.... noooo, noooo. God help as alll, we are doomed.... |
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23rd July 2009, 01:53 AM
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#3 | |
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Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 10,281
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Quote:
Oh good grief!!!!!!  And here I was nervous about quoting Conan on the science fiction channel ...er thread....on futuristic blades.....then this!! Is there some strange mist emanating from our keyboards???? |
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23rd July 2009, 06:11 AM
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#4 | |
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 385
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Quote:
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23rd July 2009, 12:04 PM
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#5 |
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Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 10,281
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Actually Lovecraft was always one of my favorites, and this really is a superb quote.......nicely done Valjhun
The more I look at these marks, they really do seem to be ultra stylized symbols that may be a comet. Now I wonder if other examples of material culture of the Mahdist period with like symbolism....and hopefully that arm dagger David mentioned. All best regards, Jim |
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24th July 2009, 11:08 AM
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#6 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Madrid / Barcelona
Posts: 256
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 And the only thing standing between them and us is... is... !! Err... ¿Wilkinson? 
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24th July 2009, 09:40 PM
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#7 | |
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Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 10,281
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Quote:
OK Marc ! Have you had the Cirlot out again ???!!! LOLCoincidentally, in recent discussion with Robert Wilkinson-Latham about the star, he noted the clarification that the symbol on the proof plug surround was not actually the six point star, but superimposed triangles. While this had to do with the Star of Solomon in that it is the same arrangement, it had more to do with the earlier symbolism representing double strength, in the sense often construed with the triangle and strength. Its always great to hear from you Marc!!! All the best, Jim |
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