Yemeni Jambiya/Thuma with strange markings

Steve · 16th May 2011, 12:41 AM

Hi Thilo,
I also can't give you a full translation however just about all these inscriptions now start with " made by....".
However I can tell you that the dagger hilt style is termed "Hodeidah" style as they were made in the Hodeidah area in Yemen for over 100 years. They were generally made without the scabbard which was added in various styles later, often in another city , such as Taiz. The triangular formation of dots are supposed to be grape bunches, grown in the Yemen Tihama.
In the 1950's, plus or minus ten years, due to civil unrest in Yemen the skills moved up the Red Sea to Jeddah where the jambiyas were made for the growing Muslim tourist market on their way to Mecca. These daggers were matched with the type of scabbards both you and Stu have. By 1980, the silversmithing industry was really over in Hodeidah.
I agree with the previous comments that your jambiya is from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and probably 1960's. Stu's is probably a little older.
All silver jambiyas can look spectacular.
Regards,
Steve

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16th May 2011, 12:41 AM	#9
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Hi Thilo, I also can't give you a full translation however just about all these inscriptions now start with " made by....". However I can tell you that the dagger hilt style is termed "Hodeidah" style as they were made in the Hodeidah area in Yemen for over 100 years. They were generally made without the scabbard which was added in various styles later, often in another city , such as Taiz. The triangular formation of dots are supposed to be grape bunches, grown in the Yemen Tihama. In the 1950's, plus or minus ten years, due to civil unrest in Yemen the skills moved up the Red Sea to Jeddah where the jambiyas were made for the growing Muslim tourist market on their way to Mecca. These daggers were matched with the type of scabbards both you and Stu have. By 1980, the silversmithing industry was really over in Hodeidah. I agree with the previous comments that your jambiya is from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and probably 1960's. Stu's is probably a little older. All silver jambiyas can look spectacular. Regards, Steve