Yemeni Jambiya/Thuma with strange markings

mrwizard · 14th May 2011, 06:58 PM

Thank you!

I have been sitting here with a table of the arabian alphabet and didn't recognize anything.
But now that you say it, i see the 'ain and mim. I can not, however, recognize the trailing lam. For me the last glyph looks like alif.
...maybe i should start learning arabian

Best Regards,
Thilo

Michael Blalock · 14th May 2011, 09:19 PM

Writing on jambiyas is usually in Ruq'ah script, it's like the difference between cursive and printing in english. It can be impossible to read unless you have had a bit of practice with learing arabic cursive. Most handwritten arabic on antiques and artifacts is written this way so I found it a big help to get a book on learing Ruq'ah script in order to be able to decipher words and look up their meaning in the dictionary.

kahnjar1 · 14th May 2011, 09:20 PM

Hi Thilo,
Very nice piece you have there!!

Here is a similar one from my collection. The translation on this one reads AMAL MOHAMED MIDWANE 1378 (1958AD) JEDDAH. One of our Members will no doubt be able to clarify what the script on your Jambiya says.
Regards Stuart

Atlantia · 15th May 2011, 11:28 AM

Lovely example Thilo.
I particularly like 'all metal' weapons.

Best
Gene

14th May 2011, 09:19 PM	#2
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Writing on jambiyas is usually in Ruq'ah script, it's like the difference between cursive and printing in english. It can be impossible to read unless you have had a bit of practice with learing arabic cursive. Most handwritten arabic on antiques and artifacts is written this way so I found it a big help to get a book on learing Ruq'ah script in order to be able to decipher words and look up their meaning in the dictionary. Attached Images

14th May 2011, 09:20 PM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,800	Hi Thilo, Very nice piece you have there!! Here is a similar one from my collection. The translation on this one reads AMAL MOHAMED MIDWANE 1378 (1958AD) JEDDAH. One of our Members will no doubt be able to clarify what the script on your Jambiya says. Regards Stuart Attached Images

14th May 2011, 06:58 PM	#1
mrwizard Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dortmund, Germany Posts: 102	Thank you! I have been sitting here with a table of the arabian alphabet and didn't recognize anything. But now that you say it, i see the 'ain and mim. I can not, however, recognize the trailing lam. For me the last glyph looks like alif. ...maybe i should start learning arabian Best Regards, Thilo

15th May 2011, 11:28 AM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Lovely example Thilo. I particularly like 'all metal' weapons. Best Gene