Expensive Jambiya $$$

Michael Blalock · 9th April 2008, 10:05 PM

This is a lot of money for a Jambiya.

http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/ws/...m=180224028486

I see they had 4 different Kattaras three sold in the 3k range and one did not sell, a big drop from 10k last year. I guess last years price brought them out of the woodwork.

David · 9th April 2008, 10:17 PM

Well, it sold to a bidder on the floor so he had an opportunity to examine it first hand. I certainly wouldn't put out that kind of money based on the eBay photos.

Battara · 9th April 2008, 10:36 PM

Again - insane

A. G. Maisey · 9th April 2008, 11:25 PM

I always find it very difficult to appraise something from a photo, even a very good photo, and even things I'm supposed to know a little bit about.

As David has pointed out, this jambiya sold to somebody who had handled it. If the price went to this level, it means there were at least two people who thought it was worth that much.

I have no idea at all what it is worth, but I do know this:- the price realised for this dagger is not at all high when compared on a present day value basis with the prices that superior eastern weaponry brought in the 1960's through to the 1990's.

Similarly, compare this price with prices of Japanese weaponry, or even of very good keris. Two Balinese keris that came from the Raja of Badung in about 1988 sold not long after this to a Swiss collector for the equivalent of $US20,000 and $US30,000.

Over the years Balinese keris have come up periodically that have achieved prices of $US10,000 to over $US100,000.

Three years or so ago I acquired a tombak without any dress, just the blade, that cost me near enough to $US9000.

In the mid 1960's a Balinese keris without a scabbard achieved the equivalent of $US2940 (1050 pounds) at Christies in London. What would that be, expressed in present day terms? If I apply the Rule of Eight (the value of limited commodities will double every eight years) this becomes $US94,080. Yes, I know its a simplistic rule, its only intended as a rule of thumb, but it often does give a result that approximates reality. In the case of this Bali keris, its perhaps a little bit high, but not much.

If this jambiya is any good, and apparently a couple of people thought that it is, the price it achieved could well be seen to be low in a very short period of time. There never was a lot of really good weaponry, and the amount offered in the marketplace is becoming less and less.

Michael Blalock · 10th April 2008, 12:06 AM

I was in Munich in January, I saw a lot of Saudi's shopping at Bulgari, Armani and Gucci, just down the street from Hermann-Historica. I saw a 3000 euro sweater in one window, so I guess 10,000 is not so insane.

Dom · 10th April 2008, 12:55 AM

Hi
insane ... no
a lot of money, yes,
but, a very exceptional jambiya, museum quality
I saw plenty over there in K.S.A. but never with that quality
if really a little bite old, I may understand

à +

Dom

CharlesS · 10th April 2008, 01:14 AM

I think for us guys that have been collecting for 5 years or more, it's hard for us to come to terms with a seemingly new wave of collectors willing to pay whatever comes to mind, or seemingly outlandish prices, for something they want.

There have been alot of rich Arabs for some time, but the new wave of "new rich" Russian and Chinese buyers is really putting a wrinkle in the market.

There is little we can do but stand by and watch.

A. G. Maisey · 10th April 2008, 01:52 AM

Charles, I have been collecting since I was about 14, and my grandfather was a collector before me, beginning his collection during WWI.

I am now 67. That's more than 50 years of personal collecting, and I have anecdotal experience from my grandfather.

I have never seen Eastern edged weaponry more reasonably priced in real terms than it is right now. Try to get hold of some old UK dealers catalogues from +20 years ago, and compare the prices at that time, with what people were earning.

Its a sad thing to endure, but quality costs.

Emanuel · 10th April 2008, 02:29 AM

$500,000 - $900,000 Mughal khanjar: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7337978.stm

Lew · 10th April 2008, 03:15 AM

The jambiya seems to of the finest quality and after seeing what things went for at the Timonium auction nothing suprises me anymore.

Lew

kronckew · 11th April 2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manolo

$500,000 - $900,000 Mughal khanjar: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7337978.stm

shah jahan's dagger sold for £1,700,000 (roughly $3,350,000) yesterday in london

9th April 2008, 10:05 PM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Expensive Jambiya $$$ This is a lot of money for a Jambiya. http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/ws/...m=180224028486 I see they had 4 different Kattaras three sold in the 3k range and one did not sell, a big drop from 10k last year. I guess last years price brought them out of the woodwork.

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9th April 2008, 10:17 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,212	Well, it sold to a bidder on the floor so he had an opportunity to examine it first hand. I certainly wouldn't put out that kind of money based on the eBay photos.

9th April 2008, 10:36 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Again - insane

9th April 2008, 11:25 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	I always find it very difficult to appraise something from a photo, even a very good photo, and even things I'm supposed to know a little bit about. As David has pointed out, this jambiya sold to somebody who had handled it. If the price went to this level, it means there were at least two people who thought it was worth that much. I have no idea at all what it is worth, but I do know this:- the price realised for this dagger is not at all high when compared on a present day value basis with the prices that superior eastern weaponry brought in the 1960's through to the 1990's. Similarly, compare this price with prices of Japanese weaponry, or even of very good keris. Two Balinese keris that came from the Raja of Badung in about 1988 sold not long after this to a Swiss collector for the equivalent of $US20,000 and $US30,000. Over the years Balinese keris have come up periodically that have achieved prices of $US10,000 to over $US100,000. Three years or so ago I acquired a tombak without any dress, just the blade, that cost me near enough to $US9000. In the mid 1960's a Balinese keris without a scabbard achieved the equivalent of $US2940 (1050 pounds) at Christies in London. What would that be, expressed in present day terms? If I apply the Rule of Eight (the value of limited commodities will double every eight years) this becomes $US94,080. Yes, I know its a simplistic rule, its only intended as a rule of thumb, but it often does give a result that approximates reality. In the case of this Bali keris, its perhaps a little bit high, but not much. If this jambiya is any good, and apparently a couple of people thought that it is, the price it achieved could well be seen to be low in a very short period of time. There never was a lot of really good weaponry, and the amount offered in the marketplace is becoming less and less.

10th April 2008, 12:06 AM	#5
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	I was in Munich in January, I saw a lot of Saudi's shopping at Bulgari, Armani and Gucci, just down the street from Hermann-Historica. I saw a 3000 euro sweater in one window, so I guess 10,000 is not so insane.

10th April 2008, 12:55 AM	#6
Dom Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Paris (FR*) Cairo (EG) Posts: 1,142	Hi insane ... no a lot of money, yes, but, a very exceptional jambiya, museum quality I saw plenty over there in K.S.A. but never with that quality if really a little bite old, I may understand à + Dom

10th April 2008, 01:14 AM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I think for us guys that have been collecting for 5 years or more, it's hard for us to come to terms with a seemingly new wave of collectors willing to pay whatever comes to mind, or seemingly outlandish prices, for something they want. There have been alot of rich Arabs for some time, but the new wave of "new rich" Russian and Chinese buyers is really putting a wrinkle in the market. There is little we can do but stand by and watch.

10th April 2008, 01:52 AM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Charles, I have been collecting since I was about 14, and my grandfather was a collector before me, beginning his collection during WWI. I am now 67. That's more than 50 years of personal collecting, and I have anecdotal experience from my grandfather. I have never seen Eastern edged weaponry more reasonably priced in real terms than it is right now. Try to get hold of some old UK dealers catalogues from +20 years ago, and compare the prices at that time, with what people were earning. Its a sad thing to endure, but quality costs.

10th April 2008, 02:29 AM	#9
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	$500,000 - $900,000 Mughal khanjar: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7337978.stm

10th April 2008, 03:15 AM	#10
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The jambiya seems to of the finest quality and after seeing what things went for at the Timonium auction nothing suprises me anymore. Lew