Yemeni/Omani Jambiya differences

celtan · 22nd January 2011, 03:47 AM

Hi Guys,

How can we differentiate an Omani from a Yemeni Jambiya?

Best

M

Battara · 22nd January 2011, 04:20 AM

Well I as far as I know this piece is Yemani because of the "T" type of hilt.

celtan · 22nd January 2011, 04:32 AM

Hi Battara,

That's precisely the issue. I have seen many jambiyas id'ed as Omani with this very same T-feature.

I have also seen pictures of Yemeni merchants selling these T-Pommels on their market booths, among other jambiya types. But since I don't know anything about asian blades, I thought that perhaps they were omani-styled daggers made in Yemen.

BTW, I have been reading your previous posts on Jambiyas. You obviously are an authority on the subject..!

BTW, how can I check if the hilt/scabbard is made of silver?

Regards

Manuel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Well I as far as I know this piece is Yemani because of the "T" type of hilt.

kahnjar1 · 22nd January 2011, 06:53 AM

From my experience and from various books on the subject, the main telling difference between Omani and other Jambiya is the prolific use of scroll engraving rather than the more complicated and often diamond shaped embellishments of Yemeni and other "Peninsula" types. Identification must also be placed at the steps of those who have written books on the subject. As to accuracy of these authors, one can hope that their sources were from the Arabian Peninsula itself. One book which I do have faith in, and from which I have sourced ACCURATE information, is the catalogue of an exhibition held at the King Faisal Centre in Riyhad, and published as Weapons of the Islamic World-Swords and Armour.
One other way to identify Omani origin is the style of belt buckle (if it still is attached to the belt). A typical Omani buckle is shown on the second and third items below. These buckles originate from Rostaq in the Omani interior.
Attached are pics of confirmed Omani examples and also other Peninsula Types.

kahnjar1 · 22nd January 2011, 07:07 AM

....and some similar but NOT Omani.
The first one comes from Eastern Saudi Arabia along the Omani border so bears some characteristics of the Omani type, but has distinctly Yemeni type decoration style. The rest are from South-Western Saudi near Yemen so have similarities of that style.

Battara · 22nd January 2011, 06:56 PM

Don't know about being an expert, but thank you for the vote of confidence.

Others will know more than I.

The hilt looks silver but the scabbard may be white metal or brass. Take it to a jeweler who should have the chemicals to test the metal.

22nd January 2011, 03:47 AM	#1
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Yemeni/Omani Jambiya differences Hi Guys, How can we differentiate an Omani from a Yemeni Jambiya? Best M Attached Images Last edited by celtan; 22nd January 2011 at 03:59 AM.

22nd January 2011, 06:53 AM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,741	Some Clarity?? From my experience and from various books on the subject, the main telling difference between Omani and other Jambiya is the prolific use of scroll engraving rather than the more complicated and often diamond shaped embellishments of Yemeni and other "Peninsula" types. Identification must also be placed at the steps of those who have written books on the subject. As to accuracy of these authors, one can hope that their sources were from the Arabian Peninsula itself. One book which I do have faith in, and from which I have sourced ACCURATE information, is the catalogue of an exhibition held at the King Faisal Centre in Riyhad, and published as Weapons of the Islamic World-Swords and Armour. One other way to identify Omani origin is the style of belt buckle (if it still is attached to the belt). A typical Omani buckle is shown on the second and third items below. These buckles originate from Rostaq in the Omani interior. Attached are pics of confirmed Omani examples and also other Peninsula Types. Attached Images Last edited by kahnjar1; 22nd January 2011 at 07:22 AM.

22nd January 2011, 07:07 AM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,741	....and some similar but NOT Omani. The first one comes from Eastern Saudi Arabia along the Omani border so bears some characteristics of the Omani type, but has distinctly Yemeni type decoration style. The rest are from South-Western Saudi near Yemen so have similarities of that style. Attached Images

22nd January 2011, 06:56 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Don't know about being an expert, but thank you for the vote of confidence. Others will know more than I. The hilt looks silver but the scabbard may be white metal or brass. Take it to a jeweler who should have the chemicals to test the metal. Last edited by Battara; 23rd January 2011 at 12:05 AM.

22nd January 2011, 04:20 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Well I as far as I know this piece is Yemani because of the "T" type of hilt.