What is this? Perhaps a Shibriya?
 

Greetings,

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

Would this be a shibriya?

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

Thank you so much. Zukran!

Is there a name for it?

Shafra or Kusha.

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

Shafra.
 

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.

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

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