Turkish-Kurdish Jambiya

ariel · 5th September 2009, 10:31 AM

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 · 5th September 2009, 11:30 AM

Beautiful dagger. Will try to host to here for you

Atlantia · 5th September 2009, 11:50 AM

Test

ALEX · 5th September 2009, 05:09 PM

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 · 6th September 2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

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 · 8th September 2009, 10:52 PM

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 · 21st June 2010, 12:03 AM

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 · 23rd June 2010, 05:23 AM

Ok how about my piece as another example for comparison:

ALEX · 23rd June 2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

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 · 29th June 2010, 01:13 AM

Thank you Alex.

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

5th September 2009, 10:31 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Turkish-Kurdish Jambiya 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!

5th September 2009, 11:30 AM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Beautiful dagger. Will try to host to here for you Last edited by Atlantia; 5th September 2009 at 11:51 AM.

5th September 2009, 11:50 AM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Test Attached Images

8th September 2009, 10:52 PM	#6
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	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. Attached Images

21st June 2010, 12:03 AM	#7
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	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. Attached Images

5th September 2009, 05:09 PM	#4
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	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.

23rd June 2010, 05:23 AM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Ok how about my piece as another example for comparison: Attached Images

29th June 2010, 01:13 AM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Thank you Alex. Regarding the human forms and hands, not really. Though I have seen them on some Marsh Iraqi Arab jambiyas as well.