Mysterious jambiya

Andreas · 13th December 2016, 03:24 PM

Motan, I notice you had the answer to Kubur’s question ahead of me, but as you are still under probation mine got posted first. It happened to me, and it is frustrating, also a helpful answer may go unnoticed. However, this precaution helps maintaining certain standards.
About the jambiya, I have a couple of questions: what the material the hilt is made of could be? And what are these coin-looking disks with Roman numbers on them supposed to represent? An attempt to imitate Venetian ducats, perhaps?

Kubur · 13th December 2016, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andreas

Motan, I notice you had the answer to Kubur’s question ahead of me, but as you are still under probation mine got posted first. It happened to me, and it is frustrating, also a helpful answer may go unnoticed. However, this precaution helps maintaining certain standards.
About the jambiya, I have a couple of questions: what the material the hilt is made of could be? And what are these coin-looking disks with Roman numbers on them supposed to represent? An attempt to imitate Venetian ducats, perhaps?

Dear Motan,
Yes I'm so sorry, I haven't seen your answer. You got the golden ball.
Good question it's a kind of amber. It's not bakelite (I have a jambiya in bakelite and the material is very different).
The coins are copies of Indian / buddhist things. Have a look at Gracie and Elgood, they talk about that.
Best,
Kubur

Andreas · 13th December 2016, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

The coins are copies of Indian / buddhist things.

Kubur

With Roman numbers?

Kubur · 13th December 2016, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andreas

With Roman numbers?

Ok you are right and its very complicated.
They are Yemeni copies of Indian coins, themselves copies of Venetian ducats.
They replaced the Christ by Buddha...
Some jambiya have indian ruppies, British coins and sometimes Venetian ducats.

motan · 13th December 2016, 08:42 PM

Hi Andreas and Kubur. You are both being very decent, but I don't really mind. If there was a substantial money reward or few good khanjars in it..

You are right Andreas. I am still under supevision and that causes delay.
In my view, it is always nice to have some personal mark on a piece, like the name of the maker or the owner, or other signs like date or place of manufacture. This one is probably made as a present for major Gayer-Anderson and therefore, it is not older than 1915, more likely 1930-40.
Eytan

13th December 2016, 08:42 PM	#5
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	Never mind Hi Andreas and Kubur. You are both being very decent, but I don't really mind. If there was a substantial money reward or few good khanjars in it.. You are right Andreas. I am still under supevision and that causes delay. In my view, it is always nice to have some personal mark on a piece, like the name of the maker or the owner, or other signs like date or place of manufacture. This one is probably made as a present for major Gayer-Anderson and therefore, it is not older than 1915, more likely 1930-40. Eytan

13th December 2016, 03:24 PM	#1
Andreas Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ionian Islands, Greece Posts: 96	Motan, I notice you had the answer to Kubur’s question ahead of me, but as you are still under probation mine got posted first. It happened to me, and it is frustrating, also a helpful answer may go unnoticed. However, this precaution helps maintaining certain standards. About the jambiya, I have a couple of questions: what the material the hilt is made of could be? And what are these coin-looking disks with Roman numbers on them supposed to represent? An attempt to imitate Venetian ducats, perhaps?