The Omani Khanjar

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 17th February 2019, 09:43 AM

This example suggests a Giraffe horn hilt (Zraff Hindi) and the maker from Nizwa... This is a Nizwaani Khanjar. (of Nizwa)
I was quite interested in this because of the two old floral studs on the hilt and the big work knife tucked behind with a striking pattern not seen before; on the handle. the two miniature shields over the outer rings are said to be of the Nizwa type but not all and many other makers copy this throughout Oman.. called the same as the Omani battleshield; Terrs. For other part names see # 218.

The pins holding on the two button shaped discs at the Hilt would drive me mad however. (I think they are iron nails!)

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 22nd February 2019, 06:15 PM

it is a while since this style has been looked at.. A meaty hilt in Sandalwood on a Dhaakiliyya khanjar (Interior) identified by the large amount of leather showing below the belt section. Sandalwood is a scented hardwood and takes quite closely packed silver pins nicely without splitting. In this case the belt is original to the khanjar with quite unusual decorated tiny terrs shields above the outer rings and a fairly unusual pattern on the lower scabbard. The silverwork above the rings reminds me of the Royal Khanjar style. As does the delicate work on the Qoba'a

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 24th February 2019, 01:20 PM

This Omani Khanjar has a hilt of giraffe horn the Omani people call ZRAF HINDI but as we now know its the African Giraffe..somehow lost or muddled in the translation... I prefer this type of decorated pin on a floral design which is of gold wash on silver; much of it rubbed off by now..

NOTE the miniature stack of silver cannon balls on the end of the scabbard(Qooba) do not represent cannonballs but reflect the abundant wild Mulberry bushes fruit in Oman. they appear on Omani silver jewelry and nearly always on Omani Khanjar scabbards.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 24th February 2019, 02:25 PM

In Oman the silversmith has three sources of top quality silver with which to make Khanjars.
1. Silver ingots imported from China. The Omani mine at Sohar (MEGAN)also produces silver Ingots as a bi product of its copper mining.
2. Scrap silver ( when a lady dies it is usual for her dowry silver to be sold back to the silver smith and melted for essentially the next requirement for a silver Dowry.
3. Maria Theresa Thalers. She was ruler of Austria and Spain and her coins are commemorative dated 1780 when she died and continue to be highly respected for silver content even today. see below and also note the website among many with additional detail on this coinage> http://www.theresia.name/en/

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 26th February 2019, 12:58 PM

The Brother to # 251

DAVID E. AT# 251 posted an interesting Omani Khanjar and just today I received one so similar to it and confirmed as also from Nizwa that it must be from the same workshop. The weapon I show has a confirmed zraf hindi (African horn hilt) in rounded top form and the plate below the hilt is identical but inverted compared to its brother although the stitching directly below the rings on both examples is the same ..
see below

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th February 2019, 12:30 PM

Here is a great example distinct and clear as to its provenance..

CLUES INCLUDE HAVING A LOOK AT #248 AND #278 AS WELL AS THE UNDERLYING STRUCTURE OF A NEW WEAPON IN THE MAKING AT #5

The Qita'a is a give away and should help pinpoint two regions where these are traditional thus the belt may then zero in on the correct choice.

The MAQBATH is little dull in this OSICONE but you may guess to its origins based on this?

See #218 for the correct parts names.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 2nd March 2019, 03:35 PM

For interest see http://khanjar.om/Types.html an excellent study of Omani Khanjars most useful in dissecting where a weapon has originated... Highly recommended to forum.

17th February 2019, 09:43 AM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This example suggests a Giraffe horn hilt (Zraff Hindi) and the maker from Nizwa... This is a Nizwaani Khanjar. (of Nizwa) I was quite interested in this because of the two old floral studs on the hilt and the big work knife tucked behind with a striking pattern not seen before; on the handle. the two miniature shields over the outer rings are said to be of the Nizwa type but not all and many other makers copy this throughout Oman.. called the same as the Omani battleshield; Terrs. For other part names see # 218. The pins holding on the two button shaped discs at the Hilt would drive me mad however. (I think they are iron nails!) Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 17th February 2019 at 12:29 PM.

24th February 2019, 01:20 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This Omani Khanjar has a hilt of giraffe horn the Omani people call ZRAF HINDI but as we now know its the African Giraffe..somehow lost or muddled in the translation... I prefer this type of decorated pin on a floral design which is of gold wash on silver; much of it rubbed off by now.. NOTE the miniature stack of silver cannon balls on the end of the scabbard(Qooba) do not represent cannonballs but reflect the abundant wild Mulberry bushes fruit in Oman. they appear on Omani silver jewelry and nearly always on Omani Khanjar scabbards. Attached Images

24th February 2019, 02:25 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	In Oman the silversmith has three sources of top quality silver with which to make Khanjars. 1. Silver ingots imported from China. The Omani mine at Sohar (MEGAN)also produces silver Ingots as a bi product of its copper mining. 2. Scrap silver ( when a lady dies it is usual for her dowry silver to be sold back to the silver smith and melted for essentially the next requirement for a silver Dowry. 3. Maria Theresa Thalers. She was ruler of Austria and Spain and her coins are commemorative dated 1780 when she died and continue to be highly respected for silver content even today. see below and also note the website among many with additional detail on this coinage> http://www.theresia.name/en/ Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 24th February 2019 at 02:37 PM.

28th February 2019, 12:30 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Here is a great example distinct and clear as to its provenance.. CLUES INCLUDE HAVING A LOOK AT #248 AND #278 AS WELL AS THE UNDERLYING STRUCTURE OF A NEW WEAPON IN THE MAKING AT #5 The Qita'a is a give away and should help pinpoint two regions where these are traditional thus the belt may then zero in on the correct choice. The MAQBATH is little dull in this OSICONE but you may guess to its origins based on this? See #218 for the correct parts names. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 28th February 2019 at 01:04 PM.

22nd February 2019, 06:15 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	it is a while since this style has been looked at.. A meaty hilt in Sandalwood on a Dhaakiliyya khanjar (Interior) identified by the large amount of leather showing below the belt section. Sandalwood is a scented hardwood and takes quite closely packed silver pins nicely without splitting. In this case the belt is original to the khanjar with quite unusual decorated tiny terrs shields above the outer rings and a fairly unusual pattern on the lower scabbard. The silverwork above the rings reminds me of the Royal Khanjar style. As does the delicate work on the Qoba'a Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 22nd February 2019 at 06:27 PM.

26th February 2019, 12:58 PM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The Brother to # 251 DAVID E. AT# 251 posted an interesting Omani Khanjar and just today I received one so similar to it and confirmed as also from Nizwa that it must be from the same workshop. The weapon I show has a confirmed zraf hindi (African horn hilt) in rounded top form and the plate below the hilt is identical but inverted compared to its brother although the stitching directly below the rings on both examples is the same .. see below Attached Images

2nd March 2019, 03:35 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	For interest see http://khanjar.om/Types.html an excellent study of Omani Khanjars most useful in dissecting where a weapon has originated... Highly recommended to forum.