Thouma Jambiya for Comment

TVV · 6th April 2017, 12:55 AM

I have wanted to acquire a thouma jambiya ever since I read Stephen Gracie's book. This one is probably not too old based on the dress at least. Since the discussion almost always seems to revolve around what kind of material the hilt is made from, I am attaching a picture of the end grain. Whatever it is, it is very translucent.

The thouma itself appears made of low grade silver. There is a mark on the back - owner's name? If anyone can decipher it, I would appreciate it.

Thank you,
Teodor

Marcus · 6th April 2017, 01:59 AM

Nice!

Kubur · 6th April 2017, 09:42 AM

I hate you, too beautiful!

I hope that no one will tell you that is a post 1950ties jambiya.
For me it's a late 19th or at least very early 20th.
I've a similar stamp on another Yemeni object, I think it's a silver proof.
Congratulations

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 6th April 2017, 06:54 PM

Rhino. Excellent decor on the scabbard. This is a cracking piece.... Certainly pre 48. This is a quality weapon I would suggest is Jewish craftsmanship.

A.alnakkas · 6th April 2017, 07:19 PM

A wonderful piece. Certainly up there when it comes to quality

kai · 6th April 2017, 08:19 PM

Hello Teodor,

The translucence is not decisive, for a positive identification we'd need a higher magnification of the end grain to see the single hairs.

I agree with Ibrahiim though that this is really rhino horn: This type of reticulate cracking where the end grain is exposed is very typical for rhino (and, of course, this material is quite common for old examples of these daggers compared to many other hilts).

Regards,
Kai

Steve · 7th April 2017, 01:53 AM

Hi Teodor,
Nice thouma. The stamp on the scabbard identifies the silver maker as "Saleem Bousani" and that its "nusfi" ( half silver).
It would be about 150 years old.
It looks to me that the dagger has a rhino hilt.

Steve

TVV · 7th April 2017, 04:32 PM

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for your kind words. I honestly did not expect this jambiya to be that old.

Steve,

Thank you for providing the maker's ID. I re-read your book last night - given current events, this is probably as close as I will ever get to visiting Sana'a.

Regards,
Teodor

6th April 2017, 12:55 AM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,598	Thouma Jambiya for Comment I have wanted to acquire a thouma jambiya ever since I read Stephen Gracie's book. This one is probably not too old based on the dress at least. Since the discussion almost always seems to revolve around what kind of material the hilt is made from, I am attaching a picture of the end grain. Whatever it is, it is very translucent. The thouma itself appears made of low grade silver. There is a mark on the back - owner's name? If anyone can decipher it, I would appreciate it. Thank you, Teodor Attached Images

6th April 2017, 01:59 AM	#2
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	Nice!

6th April 2017, 09:42 AM	#3
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	I hate you, too beautiful! I hope that no one will tell you that is a post 1950ties jambiya. For me it's a late 19th or at least very early 20th. I've a similar stamp on another Yemeni object, I think it's a silver proof. Congratulations

6th April 2017, 06:54 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Rhino. Excellent decor on the scabbard. This is a cracking piece.... Certainly pre 48. This is a quality weapon I would suggest is Jewish craftsmanship.

6th April 2017, 07:19 PM	#5
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,338	A wonderful piece. Certainly up there when it comes to quality

6th April 2017, 08:19 PM	#6
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,218	Hello Teodor, The translucence is not decisive, for a positive identification we'd need a higher magnification of the end grain to see the single hairs. I agree with Ibrahiim though that this is really rhino horn: This type of reticulate cracking where the end grain is exposed is very typical for rhino (and, of course, this material is quite common for old examples of these daggers compared to many other hilts). Regards, Kai

7th April 2017, 01:53 AM	#7
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Hi Teodor, Nice thouma. The stamp on the scabbard identifies the silver maker as "Saleem Bousani" and that its "nusfi" ( half silver). It would be about 150 years old. It looks to me that the dagger has a rhino hilt. Steve

7th April 2017, 04:32 PM	#8
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,598	Gentlemen, Thank you so much for your kind words. I honestly did not expect this jambiya to be that old. Steve, Thank you for providing the maker's ID. I re-read your book last night - given current events, this is probably as close as I will ever get to visiting Sana'a. Regards, Teodor