Turkish-Kurdish Jambiya

[ariel]

Just ended on e-bay. If anyone can install the pics permanently on this site, I'll be grateful.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_815wt_1167
Why?
Well, look at this one, from Artzi Yarom's personal collection:
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1501
They are identical, down to the soldered-on signature on the back of the scabbard ( with the exception of the broken-off finial on the e-bay's one).
Moreover, there is a third identical one, currently actively auctioned. I cannot ID it for now, but will do it as soon as the auction ends.

We are talking about an incredible coincidence of having 3 identical high-class items from the same 19th century workshop. It tells us something about the power of serendipity and the alleged impossibility of the lightning striking twice.
This pattern must have been in high demand and rightfully so: what a beauty! Hope it was bought by one of the Forumites!

[Atlantia]

Beautiful dagger. Will try to host to here for you

[Atlantia]

Test

[ALEX]

I agree - a fine dagger. This is a variation of "Baghdadi" type dagger. They were popular indeed, and are characterized by the ribbed and/or silver-plated buffalo horn hilt, and silver scabbard incised with geometrical design or silver filigree, as on this particular dagger. They were produced in Mosul (Iraq) in 19th/early-20th Century, and the scabbards are sometimes called "Mosul Silver". Seeing 3 almost identical daggers like this is an interesting coincident.

[Dom]

Originally Posted by ALEX

I agree - a fine dagger.

isn't it?
I followed up till 400, then when I saw the price flamed ... I dropped ...
I dunno if I've to regret.

in fact, I was a little bit trouble by what's looked like a "mass production",
exactly the same dedicace each time, on several daggers

if the blade was in "Joar" ... no hesitation but I didn't been impressed by it
nevertheless, very nice Kurdish dagger,

... and already, I was imagining where to place it to be refurbished ...
at my next visit in Damascus ... hard luck ... no in fact, I'm too stingy ...

à +

Dom

[ALEX]

I am with you, Dom.
A popular style, and this particular jambiya was certainly of above average quality, and 20''+ long !!!. Here are more variations of the same type, but without filigree work.

[ALEX]

And yet another one just closed: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...fvi%3D1&_rdc=1
Although the images are not high quality - this dagger's quality is comparable to the one above. Also 20'' in total length. One can only guess it's true beauty. Nice one, I think.

[Battara]

Ok how about my piece as another example for comparison:

[ALEX]

Originally Posted by Battara

Ok how about my piece as another example for comparison:

Very fine Jambiya, Battara
These daggers are of good quality and workmanship, but surprisingly they're often overlooked, under-researched and un-documented. I think they deserve more attention, and certainly more appreciation. Many of these, if not most, feature great quality Persian wootz blades of well made, slender design with central ridge. Think of the amount of work and skill to produce a blade like this? but they're so often taken for granted, not mentioning highly intricate silver fittings. There are also some style similarities between Kurdish, Turkish/Balkan jambiyas.
By the way, does anyone know the meaning of "human form(?)" silver cast decorations. some are 2-handed, and some have an extra row of "hands"(?).

[Battara]

Thank you Alex.

Regarding the human forms and hands, not really. Though I have seen them on some Marsh Iraqi Arab jambiyas as well.