Mecca Shibriya

A.alnakkas · 6th August 2016, 05:55 PM

Thought this is a nice example to share. I found the images on an Arab website.

Inscription in the back says "the craftsmanship of the lowly, Hassan Zaqzouq in Mecca"

ariel · 7th August 2016, 12:57 AM

I have my doubts whether it can be addressed as shibriya. The blade is uniformly bent on both sides.
But in shibriya one side stays almost straight, but the other one suddenly tapers to create a needle pointed tip.

I think you have a classical Janbiya with a somewhat simplified blade ( no central rib).

Check Artzi's site Oriental_Arms: he has an enormous collection of shibriyas.

A.alnakkas · 7th August 2016, 02:39 AM

Ariel,

The name shibriya is a measurement by nature. Its the size that define a shibriya, not the shape of the blade.

Also, within its local context, it is named a shibriya and worn like one. And there are Jordanian shibriyas with the typical double edged, slightly curved blade.

I agree that most come with the blade shape you describe.

ariel · 7th August 2016, 03:10 AM

Thanks. I knew the etymology: shibr, but did not know that this name was in use outside the Syrian-Palestinian-Jordanian areal.
One lives, one learns:-)

A.alnakkas · 7th August 2016, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Thanks. I knew the etymology: shibr, but did not know that this name was in use outside the Syrian-Palestinian-Jordanian areal.
One lives, one learns:-)

Its very widespread. ِThough you do find old, locally used shibriyas for example in Riyadh and say, Kuwait.. but with Muhaisin made blades. Will try to snap a few photos of heirlooms soon. Its not as simple as it sounds.

motan · 7th August 2016, 08:41 AM

Hi, Ik don't really think it matters how you call it, but I like it a lot. It shows very nicely how regional styles merge where geographical areas meet. The main influence on the decoration and style are clearly of Jordanian shybriyas, but influences of Yemenite Khanjar and even more clearly, of Nejd ("wahabite") styles are apprent. The workmanship is far better than in avarage shibriya and the metal sheat looks thicker and of better quality (silver?) than in most shibriyas.

motan · 7th August 2016, 09:06 AM

Hi again. Ariel, in my view, all shibriyas come from curved daggers. The recurve shape became popular only around WWI. Were these pre-shibriya daggers also called shibriya? Who knows. To support this hypothesis, I posted a few photographs of older "shibriyas" as well as bedouin with this type of dagger.

6th August 2016, 05:55 PM	#1
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Mecca Shibriya Thought this is a nice example to share. I found the images on an Arab website. Inscription in the back says "the craftsmanship of the lowly, Hassan Zaqzouq in Mecca" Attached Images

7th August 2016, 08:41 AM	#6
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	What's in a name? Hi, Ik don't really think it matters how you call it, but I like it a lot. It shows very nicely how regional styles merge where geographical areas meet. The main influence on the decoration and style are clearly of Jordanian shybriyas, but influences of Yemenite Khanjar and even more clearly, of Nejd ("wahabite") styles are apprent. The workmanship is far better than in avarage shibriya and the metal sheat looks thicker and of better quality (silver?) than in most shibriyas.

7th August 2016, 09:06 AM	#7
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	Shibriya blades Hi again. Ariel, in my view, all shibriyas come from curved daggers. The recurve shape became popular only around WWI. Were these pre-shibriya daggers also called shibriya? Who knows. To support this hypothesis, I posted a few photographs of older "shibriyas" as well as bedouin with this type of dagger. Attached Images

7th August 2016, 12:57 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I have my doubts whether it can be addressed as shibriya. The blade is uniformly bent on both sides. But in shibriya one side stays almost straight, but the other one suddenly tapers to create a needle pointed tip. I think you have a classical Janbiya with a somewhat simplified blade ( no central rib). Check Artzi's site Oriental_Arms: he has an enormous collection of shibriyas.

7th August 2016, 02:39 AM	#3
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Ariel, The name shibriya is a measurement by nature. Its the size that define a shibriya, not the shape of the blade. Also, within its local context, it is named a shibriya and worn like one. And there are Jordanian shibriyas with the typical double edged, slightly curved blade. I agree that most come with the blade shape you describe.

7th August 2016, 03:10 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Thanks. I knew the etymology: shibr, but did not know that this name was in use outside the Syrian-Palestinian-Jordanian areal. One lives, one learns:-)