Thankyou Santa!! Omani silver and Jambiya

[Atlantia]

Nice one Stu!

I picked up a bag of silver a while back and have been trying to ID it all! I hadn't thought of the possibility of Omani until I saw the ring pointer in your lot!

Interesting Jambiya BTW! What's the blade like?


Edit: Adding pics of my 'job lot'. Shown with a mounted Yemeni Silver coin that I bought separately: Mutawakilite kingdom of Yemen, Imadi Riyal, 1344 (accession date AH1322), Imam Yahya (1322-1367-1904-1948).

Haven't got a clue what the large multi part piece is. All the main parts are stamped with a square mark on the reverse, but it's to indistinct to make out any detail.

[A.alnakkas]

Nice Stu!

Put up more pictures of the Jambiya :-)

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Nice Stu!

Put up more pictures of the Jambiya :-)

Definately! Looks like an interesting example. I like the big silver band with coins!!

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Nice one Stu!

I picked up a bag of silver a while back and have been trying to ID it all! I hadn't thought of the possibility of Omani until I saw the ring pointer in your lot!

Interesting Jambiya BTW! What's the blade like?


Edit: Adding pics of my 'job lot'. Shown with a mounted Yemeni Silver coin that I bought separately: Mutawakilite kingdom of Yemen, Imadi Riyal, 1344 (accession date AH1322), Imam Yahya (1322-1367-1904-1948).

Haven't got a clue what the large multi part piece is. All the main parts are stamped with a square mark on the reverse, but it's to indistinct to make out any detail.

Hi Gene,
Yes the pointed ring is a First finger ring as described by Ibrahiim. There are different rings for all 4 fingers, and also a thumb ring.
I will post pics of the Jambiya in the next few days----also some individual pics of the various items. Although not weapons, they are certainly Ethnic and I'm sure will be of interest. The blade of the Jambiya is a bit pitted but not too bad really. A truely interesting piece IMHO.
Merry Xmas to the Christians amongst us, but other religions of course are entitled to gifts, especially if they are sharp and pointy .
Regards Stu
P.S. IF that large piece you show has hooks at each end, it is likely either a chest or head dress. the hooks at each end would attach to either clothing , or another band of some sort.
Stu

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hi Gene,
Yes the pointed ring is a First finger ring as described by Ibrahiim. There are different rings for all 4 fingers, and also a thumb ring.
I will post pics of the Jambiya in the next few days----also some individual pics of the various items. Although not weapons, they are certainly Ethnic and I'm sure will be of interest. The blade of the Jambiya is a bit pitted but not too bad really. A truely interesting piece IMHO.
Merry Xmas to the Christians amongst us, but other religions of course are entitled to gifts, especially if they are sharp and pointy .

Its not just Christians who celebrate Xmas! Don't forget us Atheists!

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

P.S. IF that large piece you show has hooks at each end, it is likely either a chest or head dress. the hooks at each end would attach to either clothing , or another band of some sort.
Stu

It does,
hooks at each end and the centre.
Is it Arabian then?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

It does,
hooks at each end and the centre.
Is it Arabian then?

Salaams Atlantia~ It looks like it is a silver and other metals mix(copper)...Probably Yemeni. The reason why they did this was not only because it was less expensive but because it formed a harder metal so it lasted well. Mixed metals were common in Yemen though often after 1948 since at that time many Yemeni Jewish peoples moved to Israel...including a large percentage of their silver craftsmen and today only a few are left. The quality took a hammering from that point..perhaps it has recovered somewhat by now.
The hooks operate like the other Arabian hooks in that they hook into the hair or into a head strap so that the entire necklace hangs under the chin framing the ladys face. As does the multi chain at Stuarts picture. Your stuff looks Yemeni but the ring is Omani and is the same as you say. Worn on each index finger with the point towards the finger nail direction... A prayer ring.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Afternote~ I like the two pin shaped objects which are either for applying kohl to the eyes or used as buttons to secure the dress at the neck...
The big necklace is interesting though in the hidden meaning stakes you can chase this around all day... It reflects the use of the figure 3... 3 main discs and 3 strands ending in 3 rectangles (these represent the hand of Fatima daughter of the Prophet.) There are 3 strands at the ends of prayer beads in Arabia and it is said they prevent evil from climbing up.

Rings ~ We always have a big friendly arguement when we go to the remote villages over which ring is worn on which finger. I can only repeat what study has shown which is~ Six On each hand ~

1. thumb ring on the thumb
2. prayer ring on the index finger
3. Two rings on the middle finger one of which is a tower ring with a cage on it. It looks like a mini bird cage.
4. The next finger has a ring.
5. The pinkie finger has its own pinkie finger ring ...
If I get time I will illustrate the entire load.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

It does,
hooks at each end and the centre.
Is it Arabian then?

I would think so---yes. Ibrahiim I see has answered to this also and gives list of rings. Perhaps not Omani except the ring, but maybe Yemeni.
Either way all very interesting pieces. Nice accompanyment for the blades IMHO

[Atlantia]

Excellent, thank you both!

[kahnjar1]

Hi all. As promised the Jambiya, which I am fairly sure is Hadhramauti. The coins are silver 1/4 Rupee India and the latest is dated 1918. Most Jambiya I have seen of this type have red stones in place of the coins. This Jambiya was bought out of Oman in the early 1970s together with the Jewellery, which follows this in a post of its own. I believe however that the Jambiya is older-----maybe around the 1940s or 1950s. The hilt I am fairly sure is Rhino.
The blade of the jambiya is quite stained and I hope to improve on it's looks, but for the moment have just applied rustkiller.
Comments very welcome.
Regards Stu

[Gavin Nugent]

It is an interesting ethnographic lot Stu. It is nice to see the coins used and I guess this supports what Steve was nice enough to share, being Indian Craftsmen in the regions making these knives.

Nice that Ibrahiim shared his wealth of knowledge about the accruements too.

The horn unfortunately is not Rhino.

Gav

[kahnjar1]

I realise that these are not strictly weapons, but they came with other weaponry related items, so hope the Mods will let this run.

1. Ginger Pots--copper with either silver or tin wash. Most likely from Nizwa.
2. Heart shaped silver decoration for holding hair tidy at the back. Is attached to back of dress.
3.Shovel shaped hanger with red stone. Boys head dress "Dinar mal walad"
4.Hair decoration. Hooks on to other head decoration.
5.Six strand chin chain (most are 5 strand). Hooks at each end to head dress.
6.Silver Tweezer and pick set. Often worn as an accessory to the Jambiya/Khanjar.
7. Necklace with Hirz or Quran Box, probably from Nizwa. As can be seen this opens at one end, and YES there is a text inside. Very brittle so I will not attempt to unfold it.
8.Omani Rings. The pointed one is for the first finger, the other two yet to be identified.
9.Talahiq primer flask in silver and gold. Believed to be from Salalah.

Hope you enjoy, as these are now very rare items outside Oman.