Yemen Jambiya?

kahnjar1 · 25th September 2009, 09:20 PM

This hilt is similar to one posted by Fernando, but the scabbard is entirely different. Translation is makers name and Jeddah 1958. Comments?
Regards Stu

Steve · 26th September 2009, 05:01 AM

Thanks Artzi, all and any information is helpful. It's interesting to see daggers 3 and 4 used in the Hadrami silver scabbards.
Stu, I have found a jambiya I have which is a little cruder than your one but seems to have similar words written on the reverse of the handle. If you look at the writing you can see similar formations. I am sure there is no date and am guessing that Jedda is not mentioned - but maybe another town. I have included a pic of the dagger and a stamp on the blade (which I think is very unusual) which may indicate Saudi made?

Who did your translation for you? Maybe someone could have a look at mine and give an opinion.
Also, Ferando, I would think the dagger from your post would also have a inscription on the reverse of the handle?

This style dagger with the heavy granulation and two large pins in the hilt is known in Yemen as Hodeida style, from the Tihama plains.
Steve

kahnjar1 · 26th September 2009, 05:31 AM

Hi Steve,
Translation was done by DOM of our Forum in an earlier post re this item. Full translation reads AMAL MOHAMED MIDWANE 1378 (1958AD) JEDDAH. The date is the middle line of 4 symbols.
I do not see any date on yours though.
Stu

Michael Blalock · 26th September 2009, 08:57 PM

I believe it says "made by Mohamed ----" I can read the last part.

Steve · 27th September 2009, 12:25 AM

Thanks Michael. I'm pretty sure my piece was made in Saudi, also probably near Jedda. I forgot to attached a picture of the blade but it has a small Saudi coat of arms with palm fronds stamped into the metal. By the way, I can see you're interested in this region and I appreciate your input on some of the older threads I have read on this forum.
Steve

fernando · 27th September 2009, 03:27 PM

Hi Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

... Also, Fernando, I would think the dagger from your post would also have a inscription on the reverse of the handle?...

Thanks for pointing out that these variations are called Hodeida and are provenant from the Tihama plains.
The inscription in the handle reads OMAR ABDALLAH HASSAN. The two first names were translated by fellow member Aqtai and the last one was picked by a Moroccan ex-coleague of mine. It was rather easy for her, as Hassan was precisely her husband's name. There is no date in this example.
But there is an interesting inscription 'hidden' in the handle, near the blade fixation, which could be the silversmith mark (name). Assuming that Yemenite Jews were the traditional specialists in the silver work area, this could (should) be an inscription in the local hebrew version, the so called temani.
Have you ever seen such type of inscription?

Fernando

.

ward · 27th September 2009, 04:03 PM

Fernando here is the best guess El-ijahu. My wife knows some hebrew but some of the letters are pretty worn on this example.

fernando · 27th September 2009, 05:15 PM

Hi Ward,

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

Fernando here is the best guess El-ijahu. My wife knows some hebrew but some of the letters are pretty worn on this example.

Thank you so much for your (and your wife's) help

.
I will be digesting such unexpected news.
Your'e right, the inscription is rather faded; but the place where it is located and the photographer don't help at all

.

.

fernando · 27th September 2009, 05:48 PM

I am surprised

I always thought that the engraving on the handle reverse was the owner's name, made by the maker, in the act of selling the piece to a client.
Am i definitely wrong?
Fernando

ward · 27th September 2009, 06:44 PM

I would say makers name is correct. I have a yemani powder flask that has hebrew all along the top that no one has been able to translate. You might want to check with Artzi on the translation.

25th September 2009, 09:20 PM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	And another This hilt is similar to one posted by Fernando, but the scabbard is entirely different. Translation is makers name and Jeddah 1958. Comments? Regards Stu Attached Images

26th September 2009, 05:01 AM	#2
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Thanks Artzi, all and any information is helpful. It's interesting to see daggers 3 and 4 used in the Hadrami silver scabbards. Stu, I have found a jambiya I have which is a little cruder than your one but seems to have similar words written on the reverse of the handle. If you look at the writing you can see similar formations. I am sure there is no date and am guessing that Jedda is not mentioned - but maybe another town. I have included a pic of the dagger and a stamp on the blade (which I think is very unusual) which may indicate Saudi made? Who did your translation for you? Maybe someone could have a look at mine and give an opinion. Also, Ferando, I would think the dagger from your post would also have a inscription on the reverse of the handle? This style dagger with the heavy granulation and two large pins in the hilt is known in Yemen as Hodeida style, from the Tihama plains. Steve Attached Images

27th September 2009, 05:48 PM	#9
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Maker's name or owner's name ? I am surprised I always thought that the engraving on the handle reverse was the owner's name, made by the maker, in the act of selling the piece to a client. Am i definitely wrong? Fernando

26th September 2009, 05:31 AM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	Hi Steve, Translation was done by DOM of our Forum in an earlier post re this item. Full translation reads AMAL MOHAMED MIDWANE 1378 (1958AD) JEDDAH. The date is the middle line of 4 symbols. I do not see any date on yours though. Stu

26th September 2009, 08:57 PM	#4
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	I believe it says "made by Mohamed ----" I can read the last part.

27th September 2009, 12:25 AM	#5
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Thanks Michael. I'm pretty sure my piece was made in Saudi, also probably near Jedda. I forgot to attached a picture of the blade but it has a small Saudi coat of arms with palm fronds stamped into the metal. By the way, I can see you're interested in this region and I appreciate your input on some of the older threads I have read on this forum. Steve

27th September 2009, 04:03 PM	#7
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Fernando here is the best guess El-ijahu. My wife knows some hebrew but some of the letters are pretty worn on this example.

27th September 2009, 06:44 PM	#10
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	I would say makers name is correct. I have a yemani powder flask that has hebrew all along the top that no one has been able to translate. You might want to check with Artzi on the translation.