Kattara for comments

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Dear Ibrahiim, I have simply provided the images from a previous link posted...the sword is I believe Ariels

There sabre version of the Oman sword has been discussed as perhaps being influenced by EU and Caucasian blades.
Was silverwork on these sabres also "perhaps" influenced through this trade? I ask as I have a fine Omani sabre with the correct "native" blade that has silverwork in the style of, although not executed as well as Dagestan silver work found on some Shashka.

Thanks for a wonderful and sometimes mindblowing in depth discussion.

Gav

Salaams Gav~ Last point first; Omani Silver. Down the ages many countries have influenced Omani Design including Greek, Viking(Early traders in the Med ) adjacent Arab countries and in particular Indian influence on the Oman Coast. Omani silver also contains coins from European countries mainly Austrian and occasionally French Napoleonic coins plus Indian Rupees...As to the silver on the sword We need a photo please? I doubt the Caucaz silver style link ...

I have seen and discussed the possible link connecting Omani Swords to Caucas but that appears on a different weapon altogether from the Sayf being discussed and is clearly a fact. I have a few of those blades but there is no link between them and the so called European Trade Blade i.e. The Omani Long flexible SAYF that I can find.

The old Omani Sayf which apparently Ariel has did appear to have a stamp and I have asked for that previously to be shown clearly so we can examine that but it has not appeared as yet...Perhaps Ariel may be able to show that. It carries the local name Sayf Yamani. I am looking at two ideas; firstly that it was made in the Yemen and secondly that it was made in Nizwa or both or neither. We may never know. A clear view of the stamp would help.

As a spanner in the works there appears to have been a late quite thin blade replacement given to the old hilt perhaps 17th C which I have seen in the Muscat Souk last year(though I ignored that) and I saw a few years ago.

It is on the hit list.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.