Assib Zabidi Jambiya from Yemen For Comment

Lew · 28th March 2012, 12:11 PM

Steve

To answer your questions. Looking at the photos I see nothing that would leave to believe the scabbard was repaired. Yes I do think it has been partially cast and the blade is less stout than the ones on my older jambiya but it still a nice example.

Lew

I'll try and get you some detailed pics when it arrives in a few days.

Steve · 29th March 2012, 07:32 AM

Thanks Lew, your jambiya has some interesting elements. Offspring of the Arifis - Yemens largest silver making family today - have been using a lost wax process for making scabbards, as well as other attachments for the jambiya belt, for a few generations now.
I look forward to the pictures,
Steve

Lew · 29th March 2012, 09:46 PM

Hi Steve

The jambiya arrived today and it's quite nice

. Worked on polishing it up for about an hour. The blade is middle of the road quality the engravings are quite nice. The scabbard and seem to be a combo of cast work and some hand work.
Just a few odd dings and dents and that is to expected.

Lew

A.alnakkas · 30th March 2012, 09:55 AM

Nice one Lew, Glad you got it! is there any stamp at the back or a coin with makers name??

Lew · 30th March 2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Nice one Lew, Glad you got it! is there any stamp at the back or a coin with makers name??

Just some small holes where something seemed to be attached

.

A.alnakkas · 30th March 2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

Just some small holes where something seemed to be attached

.

Alright, sometimes these come with a small silver coin with maker's name or a star of David (with maker's name inside) I'll show some pictures soon.

Steve · 31st March 2012, 10:43 PM

Thanks Lew, I think you've got yourself an interesting piece. It all seems to go together well and the inscribed blade and split decorations are a good story.
The swirl decorations on the scabbard strip seems to be hand work only and I was wondering if they were applied because there was a problem with the casting, or maybe just that was the way the cast was made, or some silversmith wanted to try a different idea. Maybe a trial piece.
Anyway, not your normal jambiya.
Thanks again,
Steve

29th March 2012, 09:46 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Steve The jambiya arrived today and it's quite nice . Worked on polishing it up for about an hour. The blade is middle of the road quality the engravings are quite nice. The scabbard and seem to be a combo of cast work and some hand work. Just a few odd dings and dents and that is to expected. Lew Attached Images Last edited by Lew; 30th March 2012 at 03:11 PM.

28th March 2012, 12:11 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Steve To answer your questions. Looking at the photos I see nothing that would leave to believe the scabbard was repaired. Yes I do think it has been partially cast and the blade is less stout than the ones on my older jambiya but it still a nice example. Lew I'll try and get you some detailed pics when it arrives in a few days.

29th March 2012, 07:32 AM	#2
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Thanks Lew, your jambiya has some interesting elements. Offspring of the Arifis - Yemens largest silver making family today - have been using a lost wax process for making scabbards, as well as other attachments for the jambiya belt, for a few generations now. I look forward to the pictures, Steve

30th March 2012, 09:55 AM	#4
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Nice one Lew, Glad you got it! is there any stamp at the back or a coin with makers name??

31st March 2012, 10:43 PM	#7
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Thanks Lew, I think you've got yourself an interesting piece. It all seems to go together well and the inscribed blade and split decorations are a good story. The swirl decorations on the scabbard strip seems to be hand work only and I was wondering if they were applied because there was a problem with the casting, or maybe just that was the way the cast was made, or some silversmith wanted to try a different idea. Maybe a trial piece. Anyway, not your normal jambiya. Thanks again, Steve