Thouma Jambiya by BOUSANI

kahnjar1 · 16th June 2012, 03:30 AM

Quite by chance, this Jambiya came my way recently.
The Bousani Family are one of the top Yemenite Jewish Silversmith families, who worked in a small village called Bait Baws, which is on the outskirts of Sana'a. They were famous for the intricate silverwork, and open filigree work which they produced. This Jambiya features both these traits.
As with most of the Jewish Silversmiths in Yemen, they moved to Israel when it came into being in 1949. There is a picture below courtesy of Steve Gracie's book, showing Haim Bousani at work in his shop in Israel in 1950.
The Jambiya itself is mounted on a handmade belt which features gold and silver thread, and is decorated with silver fittings. The BOUSANI stamp is impressed on the back of the triangular piece.
The hilt is horn, with guilded decoration and silver pins. Probably rhino to match the quality of the rest of the piece, but unsure. The blade is nothing out of the ordinary.
I have shown several pics of the jambiya removed from its belt, as a significant amount of the beautiful silverwork is hidden when attached.
Enjoy

Lew · 16th June 2012, 03:55 AM

Sweet piece Stu

Congrats

Lew

A.alnakkas · 16th June 2012, 05:39 AM

Nice one Stu! very beautiful piece, one of the best sliver work I seen in a long time :-)

kahnjar1 · 16th June 2012, 06:38 AM

One further pic added.
Stu

A.alnakkas · 16th June 2012, 06:55 AM

excellent craftmanship on this piece. Can you post close ups of the hilt? perhaps one from the top of the hilt to see if its rhino or not. The blade looks pretty good have you checked if its 2 layer type or a forged one?

kahnjar1 · 16th June 2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

excellent craftmanship on this piece. Can you post close ups of the hilt? perhaps one from the top of the hilt to see if its rhino or not. The blade looks pretty good have you checked if its 2 layer type or a forged one?

Hi Lofty,
The blade looks to be forged. I will take some more pics of the hilt tomorrow when daylight returns.
Stu

kahnjar1 · 17th June 2012, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

excellent craftmanship on this piece. Can you post close ups of the hilt? perhaps one from the top of the hilt to see if its rhino or not. The blade looks pretty good have you checked if its 2 layer type or a forged one?

Hi Lofty,
Here are close ups as requested. Hope someone can identify if its rhino or not.
Stu

16th June 2012, 03:30 AM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	Thouma Jambiya by BOUSANI Quite by chance, this Jambiya came my way recently. The Bousani Family are one of the top Yemenite Jewish Silversmith families, who worked in a small village called Bait Baws, which is on the outskirts of Sana'a. They were famous for the intricate silverwork, and open filigree work which they produced. This Jambiya features both these traits. As with most of the Jewish Silversmiths in Yemen, they moved to Israel when it came into being in 1949. There is a picture below courtesy of Steve Gracie's book, showing Haim Bousani at work in his shop in Israel in 1950. The Jambiya itself is mounted on a handmade belt which features gold and silver thread, and is decorated with silver fittings. The BOUSANI stamp is impressed on the back of the triangular piece. The hilt is horn, with guilded decoration and silver pins. Probably rhino to match the quality of the rest of the piece, but unsure. The blade is nothing out of the ordinary. I have shown several pics of the jambiya removed from its belt, as a significant amount of the beautiful silverwork is hidden when attached. Enjoy Attached Images Last edited by kahnjar1; 16th June 2012 at 06:37 AM.

16th June 2012, 03:55 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Sweet piece Stu Congrats Lew

16th June 2012, 05:39 AM	#3
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Nice one Stu! very beautiful piece, one of the best sliver work I seen in a long time :-)

16th June 2012, 06:38 AM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	One further pic added. Stu

16th June 2012, 06:55 AM	#5
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	excellent craftmanship on this piece. Can you post close ups of the hilt? perhaps one from the top of the hilt to see if its rhino or not. The blade looks pretty good have you checked if its 2 layer type or a forged one?