Near East, Oman / Yemen, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. This is a gorgeous ceremonial steel jambiya knife with a lavish handle of copal adorned with high quality gold, silver, and copper appliques, all with the original leather and wood sheath! The double-edged blade is quite sharp and has a raised midrib, the tang is covered by an ornate grip with an 83% silver cap with lovely cast patterning. The handle is made from a copal resin with a lustrous citrine hue. The 95% (equivalent to 23K+) gold sheets, Indian Zecchino coins, and high-quality 88% silver ornaments are attached to the grip, pommel, and just above the guard cap - each hammered from sheets into repousse geometric patterns and held in place by copper rivets. The sheath is made from a lightweight wood, then covered with a dark leather panel - stitched up the center of one face. Size (blade): 7.3" L x 2" W (18.5 cm x 5.1 cm); (w/ sheath): 12.85" L x 2.5" W (32.6 cm x 6.4 cm) gold quality: 95% to 98% (equivalent to 23K+); silver quality: 83% to 88%
The jambiya handle indicates the status and wealth of the man that carries it - such knives were worn as ornamental pieces of status. Yemen and Oman are at the tip Arabian Peninsula - the center of trade routes between East Africa - where copal originates - and India. Jambiya knives were traded to travelers and this popular curved form was adopted by many cultures including the Ottoman Empire, Somalia, Persia, and Indian Mughals.
Provenance: private Lafayette, Colorado, USA collection
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#168364
Condition
Blade is intact with some russet patina near guard. Gold ornaments on handle and pommel are slightly loose but secure. Cracking and chipping to leather sheath. Losses to leather over wood frame. Rubbing and softening of details.