Ancha/Nimcha

Jim McDougall · 10th July 2008, 11:26 PM

Thank you so much Teodor for the recognition!! I have indeed been fascinated by Spanish colonial weapons for a very long time, and in all honesty, when I first acquired one of these, thought it to be Moroccan.
This was mostly due to the same assumption we see with espada/nimcha as noted here, and the nocked grip as on the Moroccan sa'if ('nimcha').

In studying espada anchas, I could see the influence diffused throughout the Spanish trade sphere, mostly as far as the Philippines, but never saw the South American examples. I first confirmed the identification on this particular form in an item appearing in Imperial Auctions last year, and the blade was marked with motif and inscriptions to Brazil. Review on Spanish trade between the Americas in the 19th century reconfirmed the potential diffusion of these, as well as establishing profound connections with Spanish colonies in Morocco.

This is a beautiful example, and the bird head as well as some of the geometric devices offer some interesting potential for research. The price the buyer got this for is in my opinion an amazing bargain, these are extremely desirable for Spanish colonial collectors!

chevalier · 11th July 2008, 12:50 AM

is there an evil eye on the handle?

Valjhun · 11th July 2008, 01:07 AM

Just the eye of a horse, I guess. Nimcha hilts are stylized horse heads, if I'm not wrong.

Jim McDougall · 11th July 2008, 01:47 AM

Chevalier and Valhun, its great to see observations on motif and I'm with you guys, in always trying to seek potential symbolism imbued in weapons.
Although it is tempting to think so, the eye shaped device on the hilt seems to have held some item such as mother of pearl or bone insert that probably aligned with the motif. The evil eye concept prevailed on North African and many Arabian weapons, but not on Spanish colonial.

The inside langet for carrying these often in a sash rather than scabbard seem characteristic on these shellguard examples of espada ancha (which is actually rather a misnomer as technically it describes a wide bladed heavy sword commonly used by Soldados de Cuero on Mexican frontier). It is interesting to note the semi circles applied overall in the hilt motif which recall the 'sickle marks' often widely seen on trade blades.

Valjhun, the distinct nocked grip on Moroccan sa'if (nimcha) hilts has long been considered in some degree zoomorphic, much like the hilt of the flyssa, and the trilobate hilt of the karabela....but I dont think there has ever been an accord on what creatures these overstylized hilts represent.
I had never thought of a horsehead, and would very much like to know of references that specify that identity, it would be fantastic to have that resolved!

Amother really unusual thing on the hilt of this example is the very clearly represented bird on the shell, and I'd like to discover more on this. Bird heads of this form in degree are seen on hilts in specific areas in Mexico, and may have to do with the eagle and snake on folklore and legend there, though the head is admittedly not very eagle like. Regardless this might establish an interesting association between Mexico and S.America.

chevalier · 11th July 2008, 05:11 AM

here is another spanish colonial sword

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180258679308

katana · 11th July 2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

..........Although it is tempting to think so, the eye shaped device on the hilt seems to have held some item such as mother of pearl or bone insert that probably aligned with the motif. The evil eye concept prevailed on North African and many Arabian weapons, but not on Spanish colonial.

Amother really unusual thing on the hilt of this example is the very clearly represented bird on the shell, and I'd like to discover more on this. Bird heads of this form in degree are seen on hilts in specific areas in Mexico, and may have to do with the eagle and snake on folklore and legend there, though the head is admittedly not very eagle like. Regardless this might establish an interesting association between Mexico and S.America.

Hi Jim

,
perhaps the stylised bird is a Peacock, symbolic to many cultures, including the Moors and the Spanish. The possible 'evil eye' on the hilt may further support this....as the feather markings of the peacock are also associated with 'eyes' (Ancient Greeks) and for some cultures, the 'evil eye'. The peacock's display of feathers certainly lends itself to the shape of the shell guard.

Regards David

.

Jim McDougall · 11th July 2008, 06:06 PM

Chevalier, thank you for posting this most unusual 'machete' which seems to correspond loosely in some respects to long straight bladed weapons which typically have hilts with the nimcha like nock and fingerstalls. These were a puzzle for some time until we finally resolved they were actually associated with Cuba and the Philippines and often bringbacks from Spanish American War. The doghead hilt is extremely atypical for anything I've seen from Mexico
but the squiggled motif repeated in motif are the same as on many of the Cuban/Filipino examples.

David, you're really getting good at this 'out of the box' thinking! You bring up great points which are key particularly in studying Indian weapons, where the peacock was extremely important in regalia and other symbolic factors. I'm still not sure of the 'evil eye' association on this hilt, though there is a compelling free association to a human eye (reminding me of the old private eye sign of early detectives). While I have seen the brass stud/nail motif often used on Spanish colonial hilts, and generally in Moorish material culture, I do not recall the eye shape. This seems to be a fixture for holding some type of decorative element in that shape.
As I'll say again, I really like your way of thinking, and openly expressing observations in the true sense of weapons research. It seems that too often there is too much attention to auction and acquisition issues.

Gonzalo G · 11th July 2008, 08:33 PM

Jim, isn´t it a blade a bit too long for an Espada Ancha? I agree those hilts could be related to Africa, as we could find the moorish influence from the Espada Jineta, also used in Spain, on the general form of that hilt. Nimchas are not the only swords with this general type of hilt. I also agree that the eye is part of the head in which the hilt ends. I wonder how much cultural influence did the cristianos nuevos (new christians, or converted moors and jews), exercised into to the culture of the spanish colonies, as they came to America in great numbers.
My best regards

Gonzalo

11th July 2008, 01:47 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Chevalier and Valhun, its great to see observations on motif and I'm with you guys, in always trying to seek potential symbolism imbued in weapons. Although it is tempting to think so, the eye shaped device on the hilt seems to have held some item such as mother of pearl or bone insert that probably aligned with the motif. The evil eye concept prevailed on North African and many Arabian weapons, but not on Spanish colonial. The inside langet for carrying these often in a sash rather than scabbard seem characteristic on these shellguard examples of espada ancha (which is actually rather a misnomer as technically it describes a wide bladed heavy sword commonly used by Soldados de Cuero on Mexican frontier). It is interesting to note the semi circles applied overall in the hilt motif which recall the 'sickle marks' often widely seen on trade blades. Valjhun, the distinct nocked grip on Moroccan sa'if (nimcha) hilts has long been considered in some degree zoomorphic, much like the hilt of the flyssa, and the trilobate hilt of the karabela....but I dont think there has ever been an accord on what creatures these overstylized hilts represent. I had never thought of a horsehead, and would very much like to know of references that specify that identity, it would be fantastic to have that resolved! Amother really unusual thing on the hilt of this example is the very clearly represented bird on the shell, and I'd like to discover more on this. Bird heads of this form in degree are seen on hilts in specific areas in Mexico, and may have to do with the eagle and snake on folklore and legend there, though the head is admittedly not very eagle like. Regardless this might establish an interesting association between Mexico and S.America. Last edited by Jim McDougall; 11th July 2008 at 02:33 AM.

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10th July 2008, 11:26 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Thank you so much Teodor for the recognition!! I have indeed been fascinated by Spanish colonial weapons for a very long time, and in all honesty, when I first acquired one of these, thought it to be Moroccan. This was mostly due to the same assumption we see with espada/nimcha as noted here, and the nocked grip as on the Moroccan sa'if ('nimcha'). In studying espada anchas, I could see the influence diffused throughout the Spanish trade sphere, mostly as far as the Philippines, but never saw the South American examples. I first confirmed the identification on this particular form in an item appearing in Imperial Auctions last year, and the blade was marked with motif and inscriptions to Brazil. Review on Spanish trade between the Americas in the 19th century reconfirmed the potential diffusion of these, as well as establishing profound connections with Spanish colonies in Morocco. This is a beautiful example, and the bird head as well as some of the geometric devices offer some interesting potential for research. The price the buyer got this for is in my opinion an amazing bargain, these are extremely desirable for Spanish colonial collectors!

11th July 2008, 12:50 AM	#2
chevalier Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 119	is there an evil eye on the handle?

11th July 2008, 01:07 AM	#3
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Just the eye of a horse, I guess. Nimcha hilts are stylized horse heads, if I'm not wrong.

11th July 2008, 05:11 AM	#5
chevalier Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 119	here is another spanish colonial sword http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180258679308

11th July 2008, 06:06 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Chevalier, thank you for posting this most unusual 'machete' which seems to correspond loosely in some respects to long straight bladed weapons which typically have hilts with the nimcha like nock and fingerstalls. These were a puzzle for some time until we finally resolved they were actually associated with Cuba and the Philippines and often bringbacks from Spanish American War. The doghead hilt is extremely atypical for anything I've seen from Mexico but the squiggled motif repeated in motif are the same as on many of the Cuban/Filipino examples. David, you're really getting good at this 'out of the box' thinking! You bring up great points which are key particularly in studying Indian weapons, where the peacock was extremely important in regalia and other symbolic factors. I'm still not sure of the 'evil eye' association on this hilt, though there is a compelling free association to a human eye (reminding me of the old private eye sign of early detectives). While I have seen the brass stud/nail motif often used on Spanish colonial hilts, and generally in Moorish material culture, I do not recall the eye shape. This seems to be a fixture for holding some type of decorative element in that shape. As I'll say again, I really like your way of thinking, and openly expressing observations in the true sense of weapons research. It seems that too often there is too much attention to auction and acquisition issues.

11th July 2008, 08:33 PM	#8
Gonzalo G Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nothern Mexico Posts: 458	Jim, isn´t it a blade a bit too long for an Espada Ancha? I agree those hilts could be related to Africa, as we could find the moorish influence from the Espada Jineta, also used in Spain, on the general form of that hilt. Nimchas are not the only swords with this general type of hilt. I also agree that the eye is part of the head in which the hilt ends. I wonder how much cultural influence did the cristianos nuevos (new christians, or converted moors and jews), exercised into to the culture of the spanish colonies, as they came to America in great numbers. My best regards Gonzalo