An Haussa takouba

Sajen · 23rd May 2020, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvain

I was trying to get this amazing Haussa takouba in a recent auction, but sadly the bids went too high for my young museum worker wallet

Well, I still have the pictures to console myself, and I thought I could share them with you, now that the auction is over.

It was described as a "touareg saber [sic]" in the auction, but I think we will agree that it is actually a very nice XIXth (second part ?) century Haussa takouba. I think the blade was locally made and exhibit some really interesting forging flaws/delamination, that could suggest forge welded edges (I don't really know how to say that in English, hope it's understandable ...).

Hello Yvain,

Where are our takouba experts?

What make it Haussa? The pommel style? I ask because I want to learn.

I think what you mean is inserted edge but I am not sure, it's only a sign of welding what I see in the pictures.

Regards,
Detlef

Yvain · 23rd May 2020, 11:07 AM

Hi Detlef,

This type of "brazil nut" pommel can be found on takouba from various ethnic groups, but is an older style (pre XXth century).

Determining where a takouba was made is, in my opinion, always a game of guesses. Some details lead me to think it is an Haussa work, but I could be wrong.

It seems to me that this kind of big boxy guard, with engraved decorations and tin (?) wash is more usually associated with the Haussa (Tuareg ones, for example, are usually slimmer, with a different shape). (See this one for example : http://takouba.org/catalog/index.php/takouba-109)

Locally made blade that are on the larger side usually seems to be Haussa, like this one. (See here : http://takouba.org/catalog/index.php...usa-people/132)

The type of mounts on the scabbard is also usual for this group, with some really long mounts (the type of decoration and the tooling on the leather kind of looks like Haussa to me too). (Again, example here : http://takouba.org/catalog/index.php...usa-people/132)

Those are some of the hints (but also the general look of the sword), that makes me think it could be Haussa, but again, it's hard to be absolutely sure, and I could be wrong !

Regarding the edges, I meant to say "tranchants rapportés", but I don't really know how to translate it to English, so periphrase, here I go ! The forging flaws following the edges of the blade almost make me believe that it could have been made using three metal rods (two hard for the edges,one soft for the core) that would have been forge welded before shapping the blade itself, like it was done on some medieval swords. Although, I have very little knowledge about african metallurgy and don't know if they used (or even materially could use) this technique.

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.

23rd May 2020, 11:07 AM	#2
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 181	Hi Detlef, This type of "brazil nut" pommel can be found on takouba from various ethnic groups, but is an older style (pre XXth century). Determining where a takouba was made is, in my opinion, always a game of guesses. Some details lead me to think it is an Haussa work, but I could be wrong. It seems to me that this kind of big boxy guard, with engraved decorations and tin (?) wash is more usually associated with the Haussa (Tuareg ones, for example, are usually slimmer, with a different shape). (See this one for example : http://takouba.org/catalog/index.php/takouba-109) Locally made blade that are on the larger side usually seems to be Haussa, like this one. (See here : http://takouba.org/catalog/index.php...usa-people/132) The type of mounts on the scabbard is also usual for this group, with some really long mounts (the type of decoration and the tooling on the leather kind of looks like Haussa to me too). (Again, example here : http://takouba.org/catalog/index.php...usa-people/132) Those are some of the hints (but also the general look of the sword), that makes me think it could be Haussa, but again, it's hard to be absolutely sure, and I could be wrong ! Regarding the edges, I meant to say "tranchants rapportés", but I don't really know how to translate it to English, so periphrase, here I go ! The forging flaws following the edges of the blade almost make me believe that it could have been made using three metal rods (two hard for the edges,one soft for the core) that would have been forge welded before shapping the blade itself, like it was done on some medieval swords. Although, I have very little knowledge about african metallurgy and don't know if they used (or even materially could use) this technique.

23rd May 2020, 12:06 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,328	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	#4
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	#5
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	#6
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,716	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	#7
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.