Assib Zabidi Jambiya from Yemen For Comment
 

Just picked this up on eBay seems an interesting example :) .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300682045730...9#ht_665wt_922

Hi Lew,
Very nice piece by the look of it.
Not Meccan IMHO but an Assib Zabidi Jambiya from Yemen. Style also refered to as Jizan. I have attached a pic of a Meccan Jambiya on a belt and also a Jizan jambiya similar to your one. As you will see the style is quite different.
Regards Stu

Your too quick Stuart :) :D. Click on the above link.

What a nice piece. I like Yemanese T-topped pieces like this, especially with lots of silver work and granulation.

Hi Lew,
I thought that was you who scored the jambiya.Thats good. I should have had a go myself but I'm getting a bit lazy. I'd be interested in your opinion on a few items when you receive and can handle the jambiya - if you don't mind?

Firstly,you've probably noticed but the silver decoration on the face of the curved section on the scabbard is different one side to the other. First time I've seen this. Do you think its a repair?

Secondly, there are some elements of the silverwork that look as though they have been cast, or partially cast and then decorated.???

Lastly, do you think the blade, with the "Queen of Sheba" inscription is a good quality forge or a cheaper version ( the seller, I think, said a good quality, heavy blade?)? I have only ever seen these inscriptions on a lighter weight blade and I'm interested as to whether the inscribing was done on any blade or just from a few , or maybe only one,particular workshop.

Thanks Lew for your considered opinion when you receive the dagger.
Steve

Nice one Lew, I was watching this one. Hesitated because I am broke :P

Like Steve, I think the scabbard has some repair on it. Here are similar examples in my collection:

Steve

To answer your questions. Looking at the photos I see nothing that would leave to believe the scabbard was repaired. Yes I do think it has been partially cast and the blade is less stout than the ones on my older jambiya but it still a nice example. :) ;)

Lew

I'll try and get you some detailed pics when it arrives in a few days.

Thanks Lew, your jambiya has some interesting elements. Offspring of the Arifis - Yemens largest silver making family today - have been using a lost wax process for making scabbards, as well as other attachments for the jambiya belt, for a few generations now.
I look forward to the pictures,
Steve

Hi Steve

The jambiya arrived today and it's quite nice :D . Worked on polishing it up for about an hour. The blade is middle of the road quality the engravings are quite nice. The scabbard and seem to be a combo of cast work and some hand work.
Just a few odd dings and dents and that is to expected.


Lew

Nice one Lew, Glad you got it! is there any stamp at the back or a coin with makers name??

Just some small holes where something seemed to be attached :shrug: .

Alright, sometimes these come with a small silver coin with maker's name or a star of David (with maker's name inside) I'll show some pictures soon.

Thanks Lew, I think you've got yourself an interesting piece. It all seems to go together well and the inscribed blade and split decorations are a good story.
The swirl decorations on the scabbard strip seems to be hand work only and I was wondering if they were applied because there was a problem with the casting, or maybe just that was the way the cast was made, or some silversmith wanted to try a different idea. Maybe a trial piece.
Anyway, not your normal jambiya.
Thanks again,
Steve

Steve

You may be correct about that they had problems with the casting. On closer inspection I did notice that that hand applied section of the scabbard has more irregularities than the upper part. So it may have been an attempt at a repair :shrug: .


Lew