The Yemen Jambiya.

[SullyAtooly]

Ian should I continue on this post or post on already older threads?

[Ian]

Hi SullyAtooly,

Please continue on this one now that you have started. We can always combine them later if that seems like a good idea.

Regards,
Ian

[SullyAtooly]

Alright so the first Jambiya I own is what is traditionally referred as Sayfani Al-Assadi. From my knowledge while living here in Sanaa, and visiting the Old Souqs, and from what I have told here by elders, is that 1 I should never wear it in public because of the attention this Jambiyah brings along with possible dangers. So I am very cautious. This Jambiya style is of one of the most sought after and prized styles.

Over a very long period of time, the greenish color of an Al-Assadi handle is a rarer and even more prestigious coloration that occurs naturally as the ivory ages.

This Jambiya also is dressed with the prestigious style of gold disks referred to “Dahab Himyari.”The blade is hand-forged with a round midrib consistent with pre 20th century Jambiyahs.

It may possibly have been made with Wootz or Damascus steel. But I would need more input on that from anyone on the form with the knowledge.

Based on years of research in Yemen itself and using AI. I am finding this jambiya may be from the late 18th century to Mid 19th. Which is consistent with the information that was presented to us when my father obtained this piece in the mid 90s. He was told at that time, this Jambiya dates back over 200 years.

Would love any input from the forum and thank you for your time

[Ian]

Thanks Sully. A nice looking jambiya. It is in amazing condition for its reported age. Middle eastern weapons are not my area of primary interest, so I'm afraid I can't give you an informed response. However, based on the pictures of the blade that you have posted, I think the blade is unlikely to be wootz.

Could you show us a picture of the full length of the knife next to the sheath?

Regards, Ian.

[DaveA]

Hello,

Welcome Sully! Very interesting to see your jambiya, an older example. I very much like to hear the stories told to you by the elders.

For comparison, here is my ‘aseeb (assib) janbiya with a “saifani" horn hilt from Yemen c. mid-20th C. The color of the hilt is lighter than yours although both have the beautiful translucent green/yellow tint.

The coins on the hilt are brass imitations of silver Venetian ducats. Originals (pre-1948) are prized for their conference of special status upon the owner.

Dave A.

[Ian]

Thanks Dave. DO you have an age estimate for your example.

Sully, Dave has pointed to the "coins" of brass on the hilt. Perhaps it is just the light and careful polishing, but yours have a "golden" glow and I wonder whether you have had the metal tested for its gold content. Also, the metal decorations on the back of your hilt look as though they may be silver. Even if its low-grade gold or silver, I think that points to a prestigious piece. I suspect the pins are also silver on the front of the hilt, as well as the band on the throat of the scabbard.

With regard to the scabbard, this seems a plain (yet apparently traditional) dress for a prestigious piece. Do you know what type of leather was used?

Regards, Ian

[DaveA]

Ian,

On my hilt pins are steel and the strip at the base of the hilt is silver. I do not have a firm data-driven estimate of the date, only what the seller has told me. The saifani hilt gets darker with time, but regular handling is also required. Yemeni men often rest their hands on the hilt of the jambiya so that confounds the dating.

Attached is a photo of fake Venetian ducats in the British Museum. There is quite a bit of history related to their use as decoration on edged weapons. Steve Gracie discusses them in his book about Yemeni Jambiya, page 193.

Dave