Pricey Mecca Jambiya

Michael Blalock · 20th October 2011, 02:26 PM

Pricey Mecca Jambiya.
Ebay 170712480748
This Mecca style jambiya went for quite a bit of money. To my eye it looks like a common jambiya, the scabbard similar to the one worn by T. E. Lawrence in poses he did for Lowel Thomas. The hilt does not quite look Yemeni or Saudi. Maybe it was made when the stone and Hebrew inscriptions were added. I assume the changes were done in Isreal to sell it as an item of Yemenite “judaica” rather than as an Arabian piece. I have seen similar treatments done to Yemeni jewelry. See the attached photos of a necklace that I own made by a Jewish silversmith in Yemen. Originally these were made without stone or gilding for the wealthy Arab women. I have seen two of these with semiprecious stones attached and gilding sold in Israel for a fortune, $4000 to $5000. I would be interested in anyone’s opion of why this went for so much money.

20th October 2011, 02:26 PM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Pricey Mecca Jambiya Pricey Mecca Jambiya. Ebay 170712480748 This Mecca style jambiya went for quite a bit of money. To my eye it looks like a common jambiya, the scabbard similar to the one worn by T. E. Lawrence in poses he did for Lowel Thomas. The hilt does not quite look Yemeni or Saudi. Maybe it was made when the stone and Hebrew inscriptions were added. I assume the changes were done in Isreal to sell it as an item of Yemenite “judaica” rather than as an Arabian piece. I have seen similar treatments done to Yemeni jewelry. See the attached photos of a necklace that I own made by a Jewish silversmith in Yemen. Originally these were made without stone or gilding for the wealthy Arab women. I have seen two of these with semiprecious stones attached and gilding sold in Israel for a fortune, $4000 to $5000. I would be interested in anyone’s opion of why this went for so much money. Attached Images