Nice takouba sword for comments

[francantolin]

Hello,

Thank you both for your message,
Maybe it is low grade local silver with nickel
even if in Sahara silver work is everywhere and don't cost much ( I was ten years ago in Tamanrasset,
Really quiet and lovely place !!!

I will buy silver test acid,
maybe better than go to a jeweller walking with my sword ...

[francantolin]

I forgot:
I think- guess the hilt had been strongly cleaned by the seller.

Kind regards

[Lee]

I have heard these relatively uncommon silver mounted takoubas referred to as "wedding" takoubas by a Tuareg owner of one. I suspect that they are mostly commissioned by more 'urban' Tuareg who have come into some cash, as opposed to chiefs living the traditional pastoral nomadic life. Of course, they often do 'end' as a prize for the traveler willing to overpay.

The silverwork (teben) is of a style typical for silversmithing done in Agadez, Niger. The five fullered blades are locally termed takouba tamougass. In my limited experience, the blades so mounted have been good old heirloom blades of European manufacture.

Besides details of workmanship and markings, the old trade blades will feel springy if you hold the blade at your side and slap the side of your leg with the flat. Locally made blades will feel more rigid and 'dead.' You can see that the blade has been reshaped by repeated sharpening, particularly the tip, suggesting it does have some age and probably had an earlier set of mountings.

You would more commonly see (two decades ago) many sorts of big 'fantasy' knives with a similar style of silverwork in the market. These were clearly for the tourist while a tourism 'industry' briefly existed in the area back then.

[David R]

Nice one, and a real "cut above" most of the Takouba seen here.

[Battara]

Originally Posted by francantolin

I forgot:
I think- guess the hilt had been strongly cleaned by the seller.

Perhaps over cleaned to where patina is missing from the design grooves. That might explain a lot.

But mixing silver and nickel - not likely since the heat differentials would damage the silver.

[Lee]

The condition of the silver appears unremarkable to me. I have a similar example before me, two decades out of the Sahara environment with brightness remaining to a good degree in many of the engraving cuts. My example was not new when I acquired it in Agadez. It may be that they do not use the sorts of silver polish that we do and that there is not much sulfur in the environment. (Silver stays bright without polishing where I live today, as well.) Now and then one of these might have been outside during a sandstorm and received a bit of a sandblasting as well. (I have read of the paint being removed from vehicles caught outside in such a storm.) I was also told that leatherwork could come to look very old after just about five years use in that environment. Age of our examples? - maybe 1980s to 1990s.

I have seen "the bird" before, but do not know its significance.

[Marc M.]

Nice sword, mounds and scabbard are more modern. Blade looks older and is of a good quality, the 5 fullers are indeed rare. The fullers are well made, straight and equal and i think the blade is probably of European make.
Would like to find a sword like yours. Great buy.

Kind regards

[Marc M.]

Very nice sword, mounds and scabbard are more modern than the blade.
Too me it look looks more Europian than local.
The fullers are straight and equal and the whole quality of the blade looks very good. Bird symbol looks local made.
Would like to find a sword like yours, great find.

Kind regards
Marc

[francantolin]

Thank you all for the detailled comments !
Really nice model Lee !!
I thought earlier 40s-50s made silver work but...
Glad to hear the blade is an old one
heavy blade but flexible. Try to make ''sound'' it !