Khanjar / Jambiya for identification please.

OsobistGB · 1st July 2018, 11:41 PM

Hello Dear Colleagues,
Recently acquired this Khanjar / Jambiya.I guess it's Persia, but I'm not sure.A curved double-edged sturdy steel blade, and steel hilt richly damascened with silver koftgari foliage and scrolls.
Please help in the identification

Thank you in advance!

Bob A · 2nd July 2018, 01:17 AM

Most of the Persian khanjars I've seen have animals ornamenting the hilt/ricasso areas. I'm inclined toward India, but with an empty data set. I eagerly await the coming of the knowledgeable.

Battara · 2nd July 2018, 03:07 AM

I hate to say but this looks like a tourist piece made in India or Pakistan. I had one like this once with Urdu inscription.

Ian · 2nd July 2018, 05:12 AM

I'm afraid I must agree with Jose. This looks like a recently made decorative piece. The koftgari work is of poor quality and the metal on the hilt is gaping at the seam in several places.

motan · 2nd July 2018, 12:23 PM

Hi,
I must agree with Battara and Ian on this. It is made for the tourist market, probably in Damascus, Syria. There used to be a lively scene of production of many types of bazar items there, including many types of daggers. The geometric koftgari style differentiates them from more common and recent North Indian fantasy pieces, which are also all-metal with silver koftgari.
Having said that, the blade is better quality than most of its kind.
Some of these date to early 20th c. This one is probably mid 20th c.
Eytan

1st July 2018, 11:41 PM	#1
OsobistGB Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 94	Khanjar / Jambiya for identification please. Hello Dear Colleagues, Recently acquired this Khanjar / Jambiya.I guess it's Persia, but I'm not sure.A curved double-edged sturdy steel blade, and steel hilt richly damascened with silver koftgari foliage and scrolls. Please help in the identification Thank you in advance! Attached Images

2nd July 2018, 01:17 AM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	Most of the Persian khanjars I've seen have animals ornamenting the hilt/ricasso areas. I'm inclined toward India, but with an empty data set. I eagerly await the coming of the knowledgeable.

2nd July 2018, 03:07 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I hate to say but this looks like a tourist piece made in India or Pakistan. I had one like this once with Urdu inscription.

2nd July 2018, 05:12 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	I'm afraid I must agree with Jose. This looks like a recently made decorative piece. The koftgari work is of poor quality and the metal on the hilt is gaping at the seam in several places.

2nd July 2018, 12:23 PM	#5
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	Hi, I must agree with Battara and Ian on this. It is made for the tourist market, probably in Damascus, Syria. There used to be a lively scene of production of many types of bazar items there, including many types of daggers. The geometric koftgari style differentiates them from more common and recent North Indian fantasy pieces, which are also all-metal with silver koftgari. Having said that, the blade is better quality than most of its kind. Some of these date to early 20th c. This one is probably mid 20th c. Eytan