Old Omani Saif

Kubur · 3rd October 2017, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVV

In your opinion, is this another example of Yemeni wootz?
Teodor

I don't know if my opinion counts but i will answer yes.

BTW have you seen the circular marks around the new rivets?
Is it possible that some sort of coins were used to fix the guard and then removed?
Because the two circular marks are very similar in diameter...

TVV · 4th October 2017, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

I don't know if my opinion counts but i will answer yes.

BTW have you seen the circular marks around the new rivets?
Is it possible that some sort of coins were used to fix the guard and then removed?
Because the two circular marks are very similar in diameter...

Kubur,

Since the holes and rivets there do not seem to serve any structural purpose, I assume they were for affixing decoration to the guard. The traces seem to suggest that it was of circular shape, and small coins is a possibility.

Teodor

Jim McDougall · 5th October 2017, 02:41 AM

Lofty, thank you for responding and for your answers. As you have well pointed out, the perception of what is and is not an anomaly is pretty individual. Also, the use of the term 'new' is quite relative and perhaps simply noting a blade as replaced or 'not original' would serve better.

Clearly swords being remounted and overall refurbished is quite normal is the often long working lives of many, and as heirloom and trophy or otherwise acquired components change hands.

There is really no way to discuss Omani swords without bringing in the case of the sa'if which has commonly been termed the 'kattara' broadsword.
As I have understood, the sword dance in the Funoon calls for remarkable dynamics, such as bright, polished blades which are flexible enough to quiver and produce dramatic whirring sound when held upright with wrist movements.
While these can be effective in sharpness, it seems doubtful they could withstand the rigors of combat, and I have yet been unable to find sound evidence of their use in same. It seems after some conflicts, a number of weapons were found but in quarters not in combat circumstance, and several of these may have been present among others.

In Burton (1884, p.166, fig. 183) notes, in accord with Demmin (1877) that he had found, "...it difficult to understand how this singular weapon could be wielded. It is mostly for SHOW and when wanted is used like a quarterstaff with both hands". Interestingly it is captioned as a 'Zanzibar' sword, which seems where these were primarily worn about, which transmitted into its presence in Oman.

From what I have learned, it seems that these distinct cylindrical hilt broadswords were fashioned to use in certain performances of tradition during dynastic changes in Oman and Zanzibar around latter 18th c.
Interestingly the hilt of these, though appearing cylindrical, has a section much like the khanjhar, which was also being redesigned at this time. I have thought that the unusual sword with such hilt might be in effect an extension of that khanjhar form, much in the way the katar evolved into the pata (in examples with open hilt of bars). It seems these swords did adopt some features of these old battle swords such as the pommel and the cuff over the blade forte.

Naturally sword dances in earlier times were I believe inspirational rallies and indeed using true combative weapons. But I think that for effect, the use of thinner, much more flexible blades was instituted eventually in these situations and in these times of dynastic change.
It seems that this unusual hilt style became prevalent in Oman as well as Zanzibar in the 1800s, and while many served as implements in the dance ceremonies there were numbers which were embellished and highly decorated in accord with the means and station of the wearer.

It is likely that as these dynastically unique swords became more popular and known, many were hilted with highly esteemed European blades, which of course were quite functional ideally, though worn more as accoutrements of status. It does not seem far fetched that these sa'if (aka kattara) became interpolated or confused with the ceremonial examples of this form as these became more known among collectors in the west.
I know that I was also unaware of the differences when I first acquired one of these around 1997,when they were quite rarely seen in sales or found in collections.

Actually I feel fortunate to have learned more on these Arabian swords, both the sa'if used ceremonially, its stoutly bladed brethren worn proudly as status symbols by merchants and officials, and these 'battle' type examples of the OP, over the years studying along with Ibrahiim al Balooshi.
He has been tenaciously dedicated to investigating and preserving the history of these Omani arms and has remarkable insights into many of the collections and museum holdings there.

Naturally I am always grateful as well to others here who have collected and are familiar with Arabian arms, and have contributed their observations and examples.

Returning to Teodor's 'Yemeni saif', it is an outstanding example, and always wonderful to see these traditional old hilts still present, and always with more stories to tell with whatever blades they now hold.

5th October 2017, 02:41 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,896	Lofty, thank you for responding and for your answers. As you have well pointed out, the perception of what is and is not an anomaly is pretty individual. Also, the use of the term 'new' is quite relative and perhaps simply noting a blade as replaced or 'not original' would serve better. Clearly swords being remounted and overall refurbished is quite normal is the often long working lives of many, and as heirloom and trophy or otherwise acquired components change hands. There is really no way to discuss Omani swords without bringing in the case of the sa'if which has commonly been termed the 'kattara' broadsword. As I have understood, the sword dance in the Funoon calls for remarkable dynamics, such as bright, polished blades which are flexible enough to quiver and produce dramatic whirring sound when held upright with wrist movements. While these can be effective in sharpness, it seems doubtful they could withstand the rigors of combat, and I have yet been unable to find sound evidence of their use in same. It seems after some conflicts, a number of weapons were found but in quarters not in combat circumstance, and several of these may have been present among others. In Burton (1884, p.166, fig. 183) notes, in accord with Demmin (1877) that he had found, "...it difficult to understand how this singular weapon could be wielded. It is mostly for SHOW and when wanted is used like a quarterstaff with both hands". Interestingly it is captioned as a 'Zanzibar' sword, which seems where these were primarily worn about, which transmitted into its presence in Oman. From what I have learned, it seems that these distinct cylindrical hilt broadswords were fashioned to use in certain performances of tradition during dynastic changes in Oman and Zanzibar around latter 18th c. Interestingly the hilt of these, though appearing cylindrical, has a section much like the khanjhar, which was also being redesigned at this time. I have thought that the unusual sword with such hilt might be in effect an extension of that khanjhar form, much in the way the katar evolved into the pata (in examples with open hilt of bars). It seems these swords did adopt some features of these old battle swords such as the pommel and the cuff over the blade forte. Naturally sword dances in earlier times were I believe inspirational rallies and indeed using true combative weapons. But I think that for effect, the use of thinner, much more flexible blades was instituted eventually in these situations and in these times of dynastic change. It seems that this unusual hilt style became prevalent in Oman as well as Zanzibar in the 1800s, and while many served as implements in the dance ceremonies there were numbers which were embellished and highly decorated in accord with the means and station of the wearer. It is likely that as these dynastically unique swords became more popular and known, many were hilted with highly esteemed European blades, which of course were quite functional ideally, though worn more as accoutrements of status. It does not seem far fetched that these sa'if (aka kattara) became interpolated or confused with the ceremonial examples of this form as these became more known among collectors in the west. I know that I was also unaware of the differences when I first acquired one of these around 1997,when they were quite rarely seen in sales or found in collections. Actually I feel fortunate to have learned more on these Arabian swords, both the sa'if used ceremonially, its stoutly bladed brethren worn proudly as status symbols by merchants and officials, and these 'battle' type examples of the OP, over the years studying along with Ibrahiim al Balooshi. He has been tenaciously dedicated to investigating and preserving the history of these Omani arms and has remarkable insights into many of the collections and museum holdings there. Naturally I am always grateful as well to others here who have collected and are familiar with Arabian arms, and have contributed their observations and examples. Returning to Teodor's 'Yemeni saif', it is an outstanding example, and always wonderful to see these traditional old hilts still present, and always with more stories to tell with whatever blades they now hold.