Indeed very attractive, and in Omani kattara style hilt, with the silvered mounts and banded velvet style scabbard iin the style favored from 18th into 19th century Hadhramaut, which is of course in east of Yemen. The scabbard form is believed to have been as often produced in Hyderabad for export to these Yemeni regions and well established into late 19th c.
With the prevalence of the Omani's in trade, the amalgamation of the forms would not be surprising, and certainly does produce an extremely attractive sa'if as seen here. Naturally,the European trade blades were remounted many times through the working life of these swords, and I hope whoever acquired this will share more detail. Many of these blades are indeed very early, and it would be great to have a better look at it.
Best regards,
Jim
|