The Syrian Jambiya/Khanjar

Atlantia · 21st June 2011, 07:45 PM

Hi Dave,

The first and second I would say are Majdali type. Either from Majdal Shams or possibly one of the other villages in that area.
They look to have very good age.
These tend to date from 1920-1950. But those might be older (say 1900-1920). I would guess that the first is showing Ottoman rule in it's crescent and star decoration.

Good examples.

Atlantia · 21st June 2011, 08:14 PM

Here's a fairly standard Damascus type.
Interestingly, this has a slightly unusual inscription, which although typically a little rough, is legible enough that I can pick out the date of 1358, which I make to be 1939.

If anyone can pick out any other words I'd be interested?

laEspadaAncha · 22nd June 2011, 03:51 AM

I find it interesting that both the (or just some?) Syrian and Jordanian Jambiyas are inscribed with the Gregorian date written in Arabic. Due to the confluence of cultures in and around the Holy Land, perhaps?

Anyway, I'll take and post a couple photos of my own Syrian example in a day or so...

Devadatta · 22nd June 2011, 06:35 AM

Just to share mine...

kahnjar1 · 22nd June 2011, 07:35 AM

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6959
This in one that I once owned and the link to the tread which describes it. Same type of hilt but a straight blade and Neillo scabbard.

Atlantia · 22nd June 2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6959
This in one that I once owned and the link to the tread which describes it. Same type of hilt but a straight blade and Neillo scabbard.

One of the examples that I had in mind. I would say again that this is an example of Ottoman rule showing it's influence in Syrian Crafts.

Atlantia · 22nd June 2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devadatta

Just to share mine...

Excellent examples.
I like the tray as well!!!
I actually had mine displayed with an Ottoman/Syrian tray for a while!

Which neatly brings me back to the influence of Ottoman rule on that part of the world.

Atlantia · 27th August 2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Excellent examples.
I like the tray as well!!!
I actually had mine displayed with an Ottoman/Syrian tray for a while!

Which neatly brings me back to the influence of Ottoman rule on that part of the world.

Dom and Mrs Dom, have been kind enought to provide a translation of the Syrian tray I posted:

Central Tughra: Abdülhamid II

Outer panels:

"- 1 - MASAA'AEB EL ENDA ASSABRE read it normally, and you will have the Arabic reading)
- 1 - THE PATIENCE IN CATASTROPHE

- 2 - MAWAHEB EL AZAMETE MENE
- 2 - IS FROM A GREAT TALENT

- 3 (above) - DAMASCUS SANA 1908
- 3 (below) - NASSAM AMAL

- 3 (above) - YEAR 1908 DAMASCUS
- 3 (below) - DONE BY NASSAM

- 4 - ABIB AL ZEKHRE ALA CHOURBENA MAZAK
- 4 - WITH THE TASTE OF OUR DRINKS, WE WE RECALL, THE MEMORY OF OUR LOVER (under-meaning, the Holy Prophet Mohamed)"

Thank you my friend.

ariel · 28th August 2011, 08:43 PM

Two and a half years ago, I posted here a real sword with identical handle. Then, it did not attract any attention.
Perhaps, it can add something to the present discussion.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=druze

21st June 2011, 08:14 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Here's a fairly standard Damascus type. Interestingly, this has a slightly unusual inscription, which although typically a little rough, is legible enough that I can pick out the date of 1358, which I make to be 1939. If anyone can pick out any other words I'd be interested? Attached Images

22nd June 2011, 07:35 AM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,800	Previous Thread re Syrian Dagger http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6959 This in one that I once owned and the link to the tread which describes it. Same type of hilt but a straight blade and Neillo scabbard.

21st June 2011, 07:45 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Dave, The first and second I would say are Majdali type. Either from Majdal Shams or possibly one of the other villages in that area. They look to have very good age. These tend to date from 1920-1950. But those might be older (say 1900-1920). I would guess that the first is showing Ottoman rule in it's crescent and star decoration. Good examples.

22nd June 2011, 03:51 AM	#3
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	I find it interesting that both the (or just some?) Syrian and Jordanian Jambiyas are inscribed with the Gregorian date written in Arabic. Due to the confluence of cultures in and around the Holy Land, perhaps? Anyway, I'll take and post a couple photos of my own Syrian example in a day or so...

22nd June 2011, 06:35 AM	#4
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118	Just to share mine...

28th August 2011, 08:43 PM	#9
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Two and a half years ago, I posted here a real sword with identical handle. Then, it did not attract any attention. Perhaps, it can add something to the present discussion. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=druze