So this issue has been resolved and even though I was proved wrong on most accounts, I am glad that my comments spurred more discussion.These swords are rare and beautiful and owners should be proud of them
Michael, I see the resemblance to Yemeni minarets.
Jim, thank you for your thorough and learned response.
The Mamluke revival is indeed known from Syria and Egypt around the turn of the 19th century, but these item look different to the Yemeni swords here.
The type of blades is common in many North African countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Morocco and by the Saharan Tuareg and these do look African.
The only things still unclear are:
-why is this style of decoration so unlike the silver filigree work known from Yemeni Janbiyas, jewelry and other items?
-how come that swords from Yemen in general and these swords specifically are so rare that they have escaped the attentions of several serious works dealing with weapons of Arabia?
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