INDIAN JAMBIYA (JUMBEEA, JUMBIYAH)

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 5th July 2017, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cathey

Hi Guys

I picked up this Jambiya a number of years ago and although the condition of the blade is down, I was particularly attracted to the Chevron design on the blade which I had only seen on Tulwars until this Jambiya surfaced. Given the chevron blade I have assumed this Jambiya to be Indian or Indo Persian.

Date : Circa 1700 (18th Century)
Overall Length: 39.3 cm 15 ½” in scabbard 38.1 cm 13 “ dagger only
Blade length: 25.8 cm 10 1/8”
Blade widest point: 5.1 cm 2”
Hilt length: 13 cm 5 1/8”
Marks, etc. faint traces of chevron decoration on blade

Description: JAMBIYA
Indian with heavily damascened Hilt with floral design. Blade has gentle central ridge in the Indian and or Persian style and has faint traces of chevron decoration. Scabbard is wood covered in silk with gilt mounts in a floral design.

Can anyone provide me with more information on how the chevron pattern is created in the steel and when and where it first came into use.

References:
Pant, Gayatri Nath, Indian Arms And Armour Volume Ii (Swords And Daggers) Pp 96,158,160.

Cheers Cathey and Rex

Salaams Cathey and Rex, A great subject and a superb photo and detail though I always have to consider what the difference is between an Indian Khanjar and an Indian Jambia since name-wise one probably comes from the Persian and the other from Arabia ...Yemen. I saw http://www.ewtodanmark.dk/magazine/no%204/Data/p06.html which outlines some variety in Indian Daggers...
I noticed slots in the blade of one follow up example above and filled by small round balls of the style tears of the afflicted. Pulling the right date out of the hat is an art best left to Mr Jens since I just cannot tell from a photo how old these weapons are but in Persian examples they go back to the 16th Century according to The Met. Some delightful examples appear from Moghal court weapons later and these were also sold to Ottoman clients..
Altogether a great subject...

For interest see http://mandarinmansion.com/talwar-lehria-chevron-blade where a an experiment in bending a Chevron sword blade showed it was equally as strong as other blades and demonstrated by Richard Furrer.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Below a few Indian Daggers ..one with tears of the wounded/tears of the afflicted in the hilt. Chevron sword blade included for interest. The lower Chilanum has an unusual Chevron decorated hilt.

estcrh · 5th July 2017, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

I always have to consider what the difference is between an Indian Khanjar and an Indian Jambia

Simple really, a "jambiya" has a double edged, single curved blade. A khanjar has a double edged, double curved blade. These are the terms used by western collectors, dealers, museums etc.....but certain cultures such as in Oman refer to what we would call a jambiya as being a khanjar and some people simply apply whatever term they want to any dagger despite the obvious difference in blade types, below is an example, "khanjar" on the left, "jambiya" on the right.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 5th July 2017, 01:43 PM

Salaams estcrh~ That other culture as you note has an entirely different terminology ... Both blades are virtually identical in Omani Khanjars and Yemeni/ Saudia Jambias..but the scabbards are different and occasionally where they are carried on the belt changes...and Jambia janb... on the side ...occasionally refers....although if it is actually worn on the side in Yemen they call them Thumah.

As a simple rule it is an Omani Khanjar and a Yemeni Jambia. Locals never mix the two definitions. If I was to point to origins of Omani Khanjar I could indicate Persian as being the likely source. I assume therefor that Indian weapons flowed from there...but it is way back in the fog of history.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Cathey · 6th July 2017, 02:34 AM

HI Guys

Whilst I understand your skepticism, I was fortunate enough to have an expert on Indian Weapons visit me from Israel a number of years back and review all of the items in my collection including this one. This gentleman has over 500 Jambiya's in his personal collection and was the proprietor of Oriental Arms at the time.

A number of collectors attending that evening and also presented items for authentication, sadly not all passed and I confess I was also nervous at the time. Fortunately and to my surprise all of my items passed as Genuine, even those I personally had doubts about.

The gilt does look better in my photograph than in real life and has stood up better than the blade over the years. I would say the piece is late 19th Century.

Cheers Cathey and Rex

estcrh · 6th July 2017, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cathey

The gilt does look better in my photograph than in real life and has stood up better than the blade over the years. I would say the piece is late 19th Century.

Which is why good, close, detailed images are really necessary in order to help determine authenticity / age etc.

6th July 2017, 02:34 AM	#4
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 284	Yes it is Genuine HI Guys Whilst I understand your skepticism, I was fortunate enough to have an expert on Indian Weapons visit me from Israel a number of years back and review all of the items in my collection including this one. This gentleman has over 500 Jambiya's in his personal collection and was the proprietor of Oriental Arms at the time. A number of collectors attending that evening and also presented items for authentication, sadly not all passed and I confess I was also nervous at the time. Fortunately and to my surprise all of my items passed as Genuine, even those I personally had doubts about. The gilt does look better in my photograph than in real life and has stood up better than the blade over the years. I would say the piece is late 19th Century. Cheers Cathey and Rex

5th July 2017, 01:43 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams estcrh~ That other culture as you note has an entirely different terminology ... Both blades are virtually identical in Omani Khanjars and Yemeni/ Saudia Jambias..but the scabbards are different and occasionally where they are carried on the belt changes...and Jambia janb... on the side ...occasionally refers....although if it is actually worn on the side in Yemen they call them Thumah. As a simple rule it is an Omani Khanjar and a Yemeni Jambia. Locals never mix the two definitions. If I was to point to origins of Omani Khanjar I could indicate Persian as being the likely source. I assume therefor that Indian weapons flowed from there...but it is way back in the fog of history. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.