Brass dots on a blade??

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Steve

As this is extremely rare in the southern arabian peninsula, I am wondering if the blade was imported from, say, India?
I am interested if there are other opinions??
steve

Hi Steve,

Purely speculation but I'd support India as this piece came from a very old collection of Indian only weapons.

Gav

[Jim McDougall]

That makes perfect sense actually Gav, as the janbiyya was by no means restricted to Arabia alone, and found use, sometimes in varying hilts and blade types throughout the Islamic World. The Arab trade on the entire west coast of India would of course be likely, and the three dot configurations are well known on tulwars and many Indian weapons as representative of the Trimurti.

All the best,
Jim

[Steve]

Thanks for the input at the end there, Gav and Jim. I think what I've got is certainly an Hadhrami rhino hilt wedded, probably, to an Indian blade. From Gav's comment it would make sense if the ceremony took place in India. After looking at 100's of yemeni blades it's the only one I've seen with this type of decoration. Thanks again, Steve

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Steve,
You are most welcome, and I think you're spot on in the application of the dots probably going on in India. It has always seemed to me that dagger blades were the one edged weapon constant in Arabia, while sword blades gave way to imports. Naturally the profound settlement of Arabs in India would establish those artisans there as well.

The trimurti configuration on Indian blades often appears on strategic locations on blades, such as at terminus of fullers, blade root and the like, so it would seem that the placement here is for specific purpose. As always the application of marks, symbols and certain motif is often only temporally known by the individual making them or requesting them placed on the weapon. I would imagine in this location on your janbiyya, these are placed talismanically to prevent effects from the negative forces of the iron in the blade or if used, from the victim. Perhaps this might explain the 'poison' in the blade story.

I think this interesting janbiyya is an excellent example of how even the simplest appearing weapon can be an entirely fascinating example of ethnographica full of exciting tales. Very nice!

All the best,
Jim

[archer]

Hi Steve, Here's another one dots are not the same size? They appear to be copper. the components could older than the blade.

Steve

[David R]

I have a Syrian dagger with the three dot inlay in copper, in addition to two teardrops in yellow metal and two plain large dots in copper, all arranged symetricaly down the blade . They could have a meaning, but then again, they could be just simple decoration.
I think in some cases, a single nail/rivit at random, they are just a way of hiding a flaw in the blade.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Ive seen many khanjars and a few old Omani battle swords (turned down quillons / spiked pommel broad short blade) with the dot or three dots. I also collect Omani Chests many brass studded and brass plated and the story of brass reflecting evil is applicable there. Islamic belief (which is likely to be a pre Islamic structure) has it that Iron attracts Evil whilst gold or brass repels it. Its only rarely seen now in Omani blades but I do go with that idea. On the other hand it could have been a jolly good way to have the blades appear as more expensive..

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Steve

Thanks for the input at the end there, Gav and Jim. I think what I've got is certainly an Hadhrami rhino hilt wedded, probably, to an Indian blade. From Gav's comment it would make sense if the ceremony took place in India. After looking at 100's of yemeni blades it's the only one I've seen with this type of decoration. Thanks again, Steve

Speculatively speaking, as the collection as a whole appeared to be from the North western frontiers of India, could the blade be from the Afghan regions and the dots represent Timurs banner?