Yemen Dagger

[J. Wicker]

I have this yemen dagger, and am looking for some info, on the authenticity, of Rhino handle. Comes with All silver sheath. Any help appreciated. Pic below. If the pic doesn't show could someone please tell me how to post them...it says pic is attached but when I preveiwed I didn't see it.

[Nathaniel]

Hello J. Welcome. It would be nice to see some close ups...and maybe a different background & a little bright lighting..natural is best....but nice looking piece from the photo Not my area...but some of the other guys will surely chime in soon

[Lew]

Hi J Wicker

That is a standard Yemen jambiya with a nicer scabbard you have. I am pretty sure the hilt is not rhino but a close up of the hilt would help to make a positive ID.

[Dom]

Originally Posted by J. Wicker

I have this yemen dagger, and am looking for some info, on the authenticity, of Rhino handle. Comes with All silver sheath. Any help appreciated.

Hi J. Wicker
very nice yemeni "Dharia" dagger
- type; "Badihi"
- hilt style; "Sayfani"
- area; Sanaa - Yemen
- age; "contempory"
(sources ; "Weapons of the Islamic World" (Swords & Armour)
about the "rhino" handle ... picture not enough acute to give an opinion

à +

Dom

[Lew]

Dom

Weapons of the Islamic World" (Swords & Armour) is this still in print?

[Dom]

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Dom

Weapons of the Islamic World" (Swords & Armour) is this still in print?

I think so

à +

Dom

[Steve]

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

[Lew]

Originally Posted by Steve

Hi guys,
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.



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

Steve/Dom

Would these be considered Joulba or Badihi? Btw the top one is rhino.

[Jim McDougall]

Steve and Dom, I cant add anything to this, but wanted to thank you for these outstanding assessments on this dagger, especially for the attention to detail. I think the general arms collecting world has long been lulled into the casual identification of these Arabian daggers collectively as janbiyya, and this kind of attention has extended to them the respect and understanding they deserve. I must admit I had not truly understood the complexity and importance held toward these daggers, despite being aware they were very key to tradition in Arabia.

It seems there were some discussions and I believe a reference which detailed the coloring of the rhino horn and the associations to certain family and tribal heirarchy but cannot recall further as it was a while back. Could either of you note more on this ?

All very best regards,
Jim