Yemen Jambiya for comment

Battara · 6th June 2018, 04:26 AM

Greetings.

Yes this is out of my usual field, but I got this jambiya from Auctions Imperial recently. This is what I surmise so far:

1. It is possibly an Assib style jambiya.

2. This is a rare example.

3. It is from Asir in the northwest region of Yemen.

(These statements are based on Artzi's descriptions of 2 similar examples.)

4. Based on the filigree work, my guess is that this is from the early 20th century.

I have been looking for a good and complete example of this for many years.

What are your thoughts and insights on this piece? (Zukran in advance!)

Battara · 6th June 2018, 04:42 AM

Here are 2 of Artzi's examples of similar jambiyas that he attributes to being Assib style and from Asir in northwest Yemen. Notice how the top one matches mine almost exactly. Both are made of silver.

TVV · 6th June 2018, 05:01 AM

Very nice jambiya, congratulations. Gracie shows a very similar jambiya on p.130, described as Zabidi, from an area 50 km south of Hodeida. So not from Asir, but further south along the coast.
Regards,
Teodor

Bob A · 6th June 2018, 07:15 AM

Very handsome piece. The blade seems a bit worn down at the edges, but I can't really tell from a photo. Small relative to its furniture; is that typical?

What was it that set you to search for this particular example, outside your usual area of interest? Filigree work, perhaps?

Artzi places his comparables firmly in the 20th century. Are there earlier similar examples?

Battara · 7th June 2018, 01:34 AM

Theodor, can you give me the full reference please?

Bob, yes it was the filigree and the "T" hilt. However some styles of these I never liked because the "waist" of these hilts were to thick. This piece has a thinner hilt midsection, which I like a lot.

Other similar examples, well yes, but not much info in the sources I have seen so far. I must confess though that I don't have extensive sources.

Bob A · 7th June 2018, 02:52 AM

The reference you're inquiring about is Stephen Gracie's "Jambiya - daggers from the souks of Yemen".

It was published in 2010 in hardcover; I believe you can get a copy from Artzi. Subsequently published recently in softcover. I haven't seen the softcover edition. The original is a handsome publication, in landscape format, about 25cm high by 33cm in width.

I'd check with the sellers about the size of the softcover edition; if it's smaller, the hardback would be the way to go.

The hardback is not readily available online, but there are a large number of softcover copies around, as it was published this year.

TVV · 7th June 2018, 02:53 AM

Jose,

I am referring to Stephen Gracie "Jambiya, Daggers from the Ancient Souqs of Yemen". There are threads on the book somewhere in the forum, and in my opinion, it is probably the best book on the subject so far.

Battara · 7th June 2018, 04:36 AM

Ah.........I see (said the blind man as he picked up his table and saw......).

Thank you both!

Oh and yes Bob - the blade is worn (and not a 2 ply welded newby) and this is typical of some of these pieces. I once had one I think from Oman, newer made (looking back). Even then, the scabbard was much larger than what was needed for the blade. However, I have only seen this feature on Arabian pieces and pieces from Sudan (if I remember correctly) where the scabbard is upturned at the end.

Battara · 7th June 2018, 05:03 AM

Another thought. For me chasing is much easier than filigree. Filigree is hard enough, but THIS level of filigree is insane!

Again Zukran to both of you - I will look this book up.

Battara · 8th June 2018, 12:56 AM

It has been brought to my attention that I forgot to mention the granulation work as well as the filigree work. One more reason why I like this piece!

6th June 2018, 04:26 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Yemen Jambiya for comment Greetings. Yes this is out of my usual field, but I got this jambiya from Auctions Imperial recently. This is what I surmise so far: 1. It is possibly an Assib style jambiya. 2. This is a rare example. 3. It is from Asir in the northwest region of Yemen. (These statements are based on Artzi's descriptions of 2 similar examples.) 4. Based on the filigree work, my guess is that this is from the early 20th century. I have been looking for a good and complete example of this for many years. What are your thoughts and insights on this piece? (Zukran in advance!) Attached Images Last edited by Battara; 6th June 2018 at 04:38 AM.

6th June 2018, 04:42 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Here are 2 of Artzi's examples of similar jambiyas that he attributes to being Assib style and from Asir in northwest Yemen. Notice how the top one matches mine almost exactly. Both are made of silver. Attached Images

7th June 2018, 04:36 AM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Ah.........I see (said the blind man as he picked up his table and saw......). Thank you both! Oh and yes Bob - the blade is worn (and not a 2 ply welded newby) and this is typical of some of these pieces. I once had one I think from Oman, newer made (looking back). Even then, the scabbard was much larger than what was needed for the blade. However, I have only seen this feature on Arabian pieces and pieces from Sudan (if I remember correctly) where the scabbard is upturned at the end. Last edited by Battara; 7th June 2018 at 05:01 AM.

6th June 2018, 05:01 AM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,624	Very nice jambiya, congratulations. Gracie shows a very similar jambiya on p.130, described as Zabidi, from an area 50 km south of Hodeida. So not from Asir, but further south along the coast. Regards, Teodor

6th June 2018, 07:15 AM	#4
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	Very handsome piece. The blade seems a bit worn down at the edges, but I can't really tell from a photo. Small relative to its furniture; is that typical? What was it that set you to search for this particular example, outside your usual area of interest? Filigree work, perhaps? Artzi places his comparables firmly in the 20th century. Are there earlier similar examples?

7th June 2018, 01:34 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Theodor, can you give me the full reference please? Bob, yes it was the filigree and the "T" hilt. However some styles of these I never liked because the "waist" of these hilts were to thick. This piece has a thinner hilt midsection, which I like a lot. Other similar examples, well yes, but not much info in the sources I have seen so far. I must confess though that I don't have extensive sources.

7th June 2018, 02:52 AM	#6
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	The reference you're inquiring about is Stephen Gracie's "Jambiya - daggers from the souks of Yemen". It was published in 2010 in hardcover; I believe you can get a copy from Artzi. Subsequently published recently in softcover. I haven't seen the softcover edition. The original is a handsome publication, in landscape format, about 25cm high by 33cm in width. I'd check with the sellers about the size of the softcover edition; if it's smaller, the hardback would be the way to go. The hardback is not readily available online, but there are a large number of softcover copies around, as it was published this year.

7th June 2018, 02:53 AM	#7
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,624	Jose, I am referring to Stephen Gracie "Jambiya, Daggers from the Ancient Souqs of Yemen". There are threads on the book somewhere in the forum, and in my opinion, it is probably the best book on the subject so far.

7th June 2018, 05:03 AM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Another thought. For me chasing is much easier than filigree. Filigree is hard enough, but THIS level of filigree is insane! Again Zukran to both of you - I will look this book up.

8th June 2018, 12:56 AM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	It has been brought to my attention that I forgot to mention the granulation work as well as the filigree work. One more reason why I like this piece!