Translation assistance on an Arab jambiya

Dom · 21st January 2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

I was hoping someone would be able to offer translation assistance on an Arab jambiya of mine. Many thanks in advance.

amal Abdallah Rafane
made by Abdallah Rafane

nothing more

à +

Dom

RSWORD · 21st January 2009, 10:15 PM

Thank you for the translation assistance! It is not common in my experience to find a makers name on an Arab jambiya. Another uncommon trait to this piece is that it has a woostz blade. Most Arab jambiya in my experience do not. Here are a few more pictures for feedback.

TVV · 21st January 2009, 10:25 PM

What a wonderful piece!

I am assuming that the maker's name applies only to the hilt and scabbard, and he is not the bladesmith as well, which brings me to the following question: were wootz blades produced from imported ingots locally in Arabia, or was the blade a specially produced one for the Arab market?

Regards,
Teodor

ariel · 21st January 2009, 11:02 PM

Good question!
Al Kindi asserted that the best wootz ( jouhar) was manufactured in Yemen.
However, where are these famous Yemeni blades?

Rick · 21st January 2009, 11:25 PM

Possibly we are looking at one ??

Jeff D · 22nd January 2009, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Good question!
Al Kindi asserted that the best wootz ( jouhar) was manufactured in Yemen.
However, where are these famous Yemeni blades?

Where are any blades from Kindi's time 801–873 CE? A few at the Topkapi, not much to work with.

All the Best
Jeff

ward · 22nd January 2009, 04:39 AM

I think Jeff is right. This blade looks like Persian wootz to me, whether it was forged there or in Yemen is the question. Persian smiths worked everywhere in the Mddle East too, dont forget

kahnjar1 · 22nd January 2009, 06:20 AM

Hi Rick,
I can not comment on the blade, but the hilt style is Meccan.Very nice piece by the way!
Regards Stuart

21st January 2009, 10:15 PM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	Thank you for the translation assistance! It is not common in my experience to find a makers name on an Arab jambiya. Another uncommon trait to this piece is that it has a woostz blade. Most Arab jambiya in my experience do not. Here are a few more pictures for feedback. Attached Images

21st January 2009, 10:25 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,664	What a wonderful piece! I am assuming that the maker's name applies only to the hilt and scabbard, and he is not the bladesmith as well, which brings me to the following question: were wootz blades produced from imported ingots locally in Arabia, or was the blade a specially produced one for the Arab market? Regards, Teodor

21st January 2009, 11:02 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Good question! Al Kindi asserted that the best wootz ( jouhar) was manufactured in Yemen. However, where are these famous Yemeni blades?

21st January 2009, 11:25 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Possibly we are looking at one ??

22nd January 2009, 04:39 AM	#7
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	I think Jeff is right. This blade looks like Persian wootz to me, whether it was forged there or in Yemen is the question. Persian smiths worked everywhere in the Mddle East too, dont forget

22nd January 2009, 06:20 AM	#8
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	Hi Rick, I can not comment on the blade, but the hilt style is Meccan.Very nice piece by the way! Regards Stuart