Origins of karabela

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by ariel

And here are 2 Yemeni Nimchas, 19th century, with rudimentary "karabela" handles. Ottoman Turks " were there, done that":-)

Salaams ! Ariel whilst Ive now sorted out my camera in support of your Turkish style hilt with a picture of a sketch of Selim the Grims son Suleyman the Magnificent and Janissaries with swords ~ The date of the engraving is 1559 A.D.

I might add that the cross guard of the style you show at your last post (left above) is normally Saudia in form.(According to Buttin).

I agree generally that the Yemeni style is as you show though it can have a variety of guards. It is, however, of the group Zanzibari style...One could pontificate all day about which pot it was boiled in but there it is; according to Buttin.

My only caution here is that you have almost entirely written off the influence of Syrian and Iranian form in its entirity whereas I can't do that since there was a lot of cross polination in style...

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi