Hi guys,
I'd like to give my opinion on this jambiya and a slight correction to the descriptions offered above. It is definitely from Yemen.
I understand the reference to the " dharia" dagger in " Weapons of the Islamic World". However I think what J has is a "thouma". The "dharia" is actually called locally a "joulba" which has less curvature, is slightly larger with a more bulbous end than the Thouma. The Thouma and joulba were worn by a different class of person in the old social structure.
Without a better picture it is difficult to know if the hilt is rhino horn or not. The term " saifani" relates back to a Yemeni family who made jambiya daggers using a particular quality and colour of rhino horn. I would just call the dagger " Sana'a style" as the term " saifani" definitely relates to rhino horn.
The silver work looks Badihi ( jewish family) in style, although i'm not sure about the locket as the picture is poor. Hope this helps.
Steve
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