Your thoughts on this kattara

Victrix · 28th April 2022, 07:27 PM

Hi all, I’d like your thoughts on this kattara. Does it look like a genuine Omani antique? It looks in remarkably good condition and I was thrown back by the double headed eagle which looks more a symbol of Rum (Byzance) than Oman.

ariel · 28th April 2022, 08:01 PM

I am afraid it is new, for Fanoon: traditional Omani male dance. Such swords need to be pretty, not neccessarily functional, and well decorated. Their blades had to be very flexible, to emit vibrating sound when swept.

The dance itself ain't no Bolshoj Ballet, the choreography is two-step left, shake the sword, two-step right, start again, but people look proud, masculine and happy. Who could ask for anything more? God bless them!

TVV · 28th April 2022, 08:05 PM

Without seeing the blade and given pictures quality, it would be impossible to tell. The older scabbard rings tend to be more massive and not just a piece of silver sheet, so that is not a good sign, but it may still be an older blade and hilt in a newer scabbard.

Victrix · 29th April 2022, 08:08 AM

Thx for your replies. It was listed as 19thC Omani kattara but failed auction several times and was returned to seller. Now we know why.

Peter Hudson · 11th November 2022, 01:28 AM

No its not normally for the Funoon ..They use the straight Sayf for the Razha in the Funoon. It is in my opinion a Kitara although the 2 headed bird puts me off as its an add on...The criss cross silver stitching is typical on long hilts as both sayf and kitara have this pattern. I have just written on this at my new thread. Please see Zanzibar, Said The Great and his influence on Omani swords and weapons. We need to see the blade please.
Peter Hudson.

28th April 2022, 07:27 PM	#1
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 679	Your thoughts on this kattara Hi all, I’d like your thoughts on this kattara. Does it look like a genuine Omani antique? It looks in remarkably good condition and I was thrown back by the double headed eagle which looks more a symbol of Rum (Byzance) than Oman. Attached Images

28th April 2022, 08:01 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I am afraid it is new, for Fanoon: traditional Omani male dance. Such swords need to be pretty, not neccessarily functional, and well decorated. Their blades had to be very flexible, to emit vibrating sound when swept. The dance itself ain't no Bolshoj Ballet, the choreography is two-step left, shake the sword, two-step right, start again, but people look proud, masculine and happy. Who could ask for anything more? God bless them!

28th April 2022, 08:05 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,598	Without seeing the blade and given pictures quality, it would be impossible to tell. The older scabbard rings tend to be more massive and not just a piece of silver sheet, so that is not a good sign, but it may still be an older blade and hilt in a newer scabbard.

29th April 2022, 08:08 AM	#4
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 679	Thx for your replies. It was listed as 19thC Omani kattara but failed auction several times and was returned to seller. Now we know why.

11th November 2022, 01:28 AM	#5
Peter Hudson Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 283	No its not normally for the Funoon ..They use the straight Sayf for the Razha in the Funoon. It is in my opinion a Kitara although the 2 headed bird puts me off as its an add on...The criss cross silver stitching is typical on long hilts as both sayf and kitara have this pattern. I have just written on this at my new thread. Please see Zanzibar, Said The Great and his influence on Omani swords and weapons. We need to see the blade please. Peter Hudson.