TUAREG ARM OR ROBE DAGGER, TALEK

19th-century example with bronze hilt cast with cruciform terminal referencing their earlier Christian faith. 14 ½” tool finished blade with triple fullers and pairs of man in the moon marks as found on Mahdist kaskaras. Leather scabbard with built up edges. Brass throat mount and pierced brass panel anchoring the broad arm loop. These were worn on the arm, concealed within the robe to be quickly drawn as the occasion demanded. Colorful early example. The Tuareg resisted French colonization from 1881 to 1905 engaging in many battles with mixed results.