Yemen Jambiya?

Lew · 21st September 2009, 03:52 AM

Picked this up today looks Yemeni early 20th century with a well forged single layer blade. Horn hilt could be rhino but I don't think so?

Steve · 22nd September 2009, 03:32 AM

Hi Lew,
I'm glad you bought this piece and posted it for comment. I was also watching it on ebay. I agree with you, in that I don't think the hilt material is rhino. The mabsem doesn't show a lot of wear but the platted design certainly puts it into the bottom west corner of the arabian peninsula.
The silver looks pretty good quality?
Do you have any feeling on a closer geographic basis for where the dagger would have originated?
Steve

Lew · 22nd September 2009, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Hi Lew,
I'm glad you bought this piece and posted it for comment. I was also watching it on ebay. I agree with you, in that I don't think the hilt material is rhino. The mabsem doesn't show a lot of wear but the platted design certainly puts it into the bottom west corner of the arabian peninsula.
The silver looks pretty good quality?
Do you have any feeling on a closer geographic basis for where the dagger would have originated?
Steve

Steve

here are a few other Yemeni examples for comparison.

Michael Blalock · 22nd September 2009, 02:52 PM

This type is worn in the Lahej. The area around Aden and the other small feudal kingdoms with a long tradition of contact with India.

Ferguson · 22nd September 2009, 03:31 PM

Very nice!
Steve F

Steve · 23rd September 2009, 02:12 AM

Thanks Lew, I've always liked the silver hilted one, if you happen to want to sell in the future?

Following from Michael's comment, I think the little leather scabbard was the scabbard of choice in the Lahij and Yaffa areas, and also well represented in the Hadramaut. This scabbard style also translated into a silver equivalent. Although Elgood doesn't give an example I think the "madd" referred to on page 86 is describing this scabbard, but probably in silver? I would be interested if someone else has an interpretation of the "madd"?

However these handy little leather scabbards also found their way throughout Yemen. The photo, which I've hopefully attached, shows seven daggers in the leather scabbards, only one of which comes from the southern area. The hilt design and silver work can give a good guide as to where the dagger originally came from.
steve

Montino Bourbon · 23rd September 2009, 02:17 AM

Which handle matches which location? I would love that.

Lew · 23rd September 2009, 12:26 PM

Steve

Those are great examples have never seen that style of banding at hilt have only seen the herring bone style. Can you post a pic with the blades showing?

Lew

21st September 2009, 03:52 AM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Yemen Jambiya? Picked this up today looks Yemeni early 20th century with a well forged single layer blade. Horn hilt could be rhino but I don't think so? Attached Images Last edited by LOUIEBLADES; 21st September 2009 at 05:40 PM.

23rd September 2009, 02:12 AM	#6
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Thanks Lew, I've always liked the silver hilted one, if you happen to want to sell in the future? Following from Michael's comment, I think the little leather scabbard was the scabbard of choice in the Lahij and Yaffa areas, and also well represented in the Hadramaut. This scabbard style also translated into a silver equivalent. Although Elgood doesn't give an example I think the "madd" referred to on page 86 is describing this scabbard, but probably in silver? I would be interested if someone else has an interpretation of the "madd"? However these handy little leather scabbards also found their way throughout Yemen. The photo, which I've hopefully attached, shows seven daggers in the leather scabbards, only one of which comes from the southern area. The hilt design and silver work can give a good guide as to where the dagger originally came from. steve Attached Images

23rd September 2009, 02:17 AM	#7
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	so how's about a guide to... Which handle matches which location? I would love that.

22nd September 2009, 03:32 AM	#2
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Hi Lew, I'm glad you bought this piece and posted it for comment. I was also watching it on ebay. I agree with you, in that I don't think the hilt material is rhino. The mabsem doesn't show a lot of wear but the platted design certainly puts it into the bottom west corner of the arabian peninsula. The silver looks pretty good quality? Do you have any feeling on a closer geographic basis for where the dagger would have originated? Steve

22nd September 2009, 02:52 PM	#4
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	This type is worn in the Lahej. The area around Aden and the other small feudal kingdoms with a long tradition of contact with India.

22nd September 2009, 03:31 PM	#5
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Very nice! Steve F

23rd September 2009, 12:26 PM	#8
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Steve Those are great examples have never seen that style of banding at hilt have only seen the herring bone style. Can you post a pic with the blades showing? Lew