The Omani Khanjar

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Here a good well made geometric pattern throughout and well designed reflections in silver stitched leather below the belt accurately drawn and executed... In the split palmette style but with clever and artistic interpretation throughout.( PERHAPS A HINT OF MAGIC SQUARES ) Hilt in African Giraffe Horn ...Zraf Hindi. Unusually at the cuff is the ancient VVVVVVV pattern also seen on some of the cuffs of the battle swords Sayf Yamaani. The Qoba (crown) is given quite delicate treatment here with artistic decoration in the same material as the rest of the weapon... new silver ...which will develop a Patina very quickly.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

The use of gold coloured cord to wrap the lower scabbard in a typical rendition of the Royal Khanjar ... You may recall that the Royal khanjar is designated by the hilt (only) change made in about 1830 /40 by Sheherazad one of the wives of Saiid the Great... Thus not constrained by the number of rings in the scabbard it can have 4 or 7 rings... Cloth belt antique examples can be seen at the excellent rendition on http://omanisilver.com/

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Possibly one of the nicer khanjars I have viewed this week . Its a Nizwani (of Nizwa) and has a zraf hindi hilt...a misnomer... (Giraffe African) Hammered into the horn adding weight and design are silver and brass pins in a geometric design.This weapons scabbard has a silver sheet backing it below the belt which is just visible. The newer chain dangling off one edge may have any accouterments on it such as the tweezers or a tobacco pouch in silver with silver pipe.. It has the crossed swords and khanjar at centre on a button. The emblem of Oman... Thus the chain is post about 1970.

It has two replacement linkages holding it to the belt...which is a standard leather with slver wire stitching . I dont like the linkages ! but they are now acceptable. The scabbard shows wear under the silver weaving probably termite in places.. and I think there's glue holding the weave together but it will last a few more years then maybe a refit.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

A couple of Royal Khanjars to compare. Sheherazad really set a standard with this very ornate hilt and it was only the hilt that she re modelled. The scabbard is or was a typical design of what was the Muscat Khanjar. Indian design is prevalent in her hilt pattern to brighten up the day of her husband; Saiid Sultan ...also known as Saiid the Great...Thus was born The Saiidi Khanjar...or The Royal Khanjar. in about 1830.

Generally I tend to advise collectors to avoid this style as it is the one most copied for the tourist and gift market but in one picture here you can see that this is a serious Khanjar outlet with rows of weapon parts for buyers to see.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

THE COLOUR RANGE IN ZRAF HINDI HILTS.

These two OMANI khanjars illustrate the colour range of Giraffe Horn. The material accepts silver pins without cracking and is now often seen on these weapons despite the danger of the diminishing of animals in the wild.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Blades are an interesting subject these days with all manner of items entering the system ...the incidence of wootz looking blades is on the increase from as far afield as Russia... and simply called Russi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

This Omani Khanjar displays a famous pattern internationally renowned from the Scottish Paisley Tie design taken from the Indian "Miri Bota" leaf pattern as in the textile displayed below.

I would probably have the blade cleaned up and the dark marks on the cuff polished off or cleaned with toothpaste..The hilt is Giraffe..