What is this? Perhaps a Shibriya?

[Battara]

Greetings,

This Middle Eastern Dagger just finished on ePrey. It is made of silver and leather.

Would this be a shibriya?

[Kubur]

It is a companion knife hidden behind the jambiya in south Yemen.

[Battara]

Thank you so much. Zukran!

Is there a name for it?

[ariel]

Shafra or Kusha.

[Battara]

Ah, thank you. I thought the safra had a specific form. However this makes sense.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Ah, thank you. I thought the safra had a specific form. However this makes sense.


Salaams Battara ~ What a good example that is... I like the work showing the mulberry fruit and fluted design to the hilt and pommel and the very interesting design to the leather. I see plenty of straight blades but not a lot of the curve and curve and a half... perhaps that is an Indian influence?
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Richard G]

I'm not so sure, whilst its blade is the same as the companion knife, its rather bulbous hilt and own sheath make me think it is a knife in its own right, independent of a jambiya. Oriental Arms had a shafra with a companion!
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/printthread.php?t=6355
Regards
Richard

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

I'm not so sure, whilst its blade is the same as the companion knife, its rather bulbous hilt and own sheath make me think it is a knife in its own right, independent of a jambiya. Oriental Arms had a shafra with a companion!
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/printthread.php?t=6355
Regards
Richard


Salaams Richard... I think you make a very good point! Is this in fact a Shafra or some other as yet unidentified side dagger?...though I note that Oriental arms on a not for sale item at http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=456 indicates a fair degree of decoration and a curved blade described as Shafra or Kusha supporting Ariels description. In my view I would suggest that the 5 geometric flanged pommel is linked to the hand of Fatima 5 tennets of Islam and the Mulberry fruit clusters which are equally ancient.... thus placing the design into a deep and respected design framework historically... On balance, therefor, I opt for the Shafra :shrug:
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[Gavin Nugent]

I'm not so sure, whilst its blade is the same as the companion knife, its rather bulbous hilt and own sheath make me think it is a knife in its own right, independent of a jambiya. Oriental Arms had a shafra with a companion!
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/printthread.php?t=6355
Regards
Richard

I couldn't agree more Richard and well pointed out.

Here are a couple I have in my collections.

They are all Jambiya sized and individually mounted in heavy leather sheaths with one retaining its own original belt suspension. I suspect the one to the right was sash mounted.

Another sold some time back in the link below too.

http://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/s813_full.html

I feel these had a special place in society but I can not place it.

They are in my opinion, certainly not servants of the owner to be hidden behind Jambiya.

Perhaps, although without foundation, a working knife for the wealthier classes?

Gavin