20th C. Yemen Steel, Copal, Gold & Silver Jambiya Knife
Near East, Oman / Yemen, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. This is a gorgeous ceremonial steel jambiya knife with a lavish handle of copal adorned with high quality gold, silver, and copper appliques, all with the original leather and wood sheath! The double-edged blade is quite sharp and has a raised midrib, the tang is covered by an ornate grip with an 83% silver cap with lovely cast patterning. The handle is made from a copal resin with a lustrous citrine hue. The 95% (equivalent to 23K+) gold sheets, Indian Zecchino coins, and high-quality 88% silver ornaments are attached to the grip, pommel, and just above the guard cap - each hammered from sheets into repousse geometric patterns and held in place by copper rivets. The sheath is made from a lightweight wood, then covered with a dark leather panel - stitched up the center of one face. Size (blade): 7.3" L x 2" W (18.5 cm x 5.1 cm); (w/ sheath): 12.85" L x 2.5" W (32.6 cm x 6.4 cm) gold quality: 95% to 98% (equivalent to 23K+); silver quality: 83% to 88%
The jambiya handle indicates the status and wealth of the man that carries it - such knives were worn as ornamental pieces of status. Yemen and Oman are at the tip Arabian Peninsula - the center of trade routes between East Africa - where copal originates - and India. Jambiya knives were traded to travelers and this popular curved form was adopted by many cultures including the Ottoman Empire, Somalia, Persia, and Indian Mughals.
Provenance: private Lafayette, Colorado, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#168364
Condition Report: Blade is intact with some russet patina near guard. Gold ornaments on handle and pommel are slightly loose but secure. Cracking and chipping to leather sheath. Losses to leather over wood frame. Rubbing and softening of details.
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Near East, Oman / Yemen, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. This is a gorgeous ceremonial steel jambiya knife with a lavish handle of copal adorned with high quality gold, silver, and copper appliques, all with the original leather and wood sheath! The double-edged blade is quite sharp and has a raised midrib, the tang is covered by an ornate grip with an 83% silver cap with lovely cast patterning. The handle is made from a copal resin with a lustrous citrine hue. The 95% (equivalent to 23K+) gold sheets, Indian Zecchino coins, and high-quality 88% silver ornaments are attached to the grip, pommel, and just above the guard cap - each hammered from sheets into repousse geometric patterns and held in place by copper rivets. The sheath is made from a lightweight wood, then covered with a dark leather panel - stitched up the center of one face. Size (blade): 7.3" L x 2" W (18.5 cm x 5.1 cm); (w/ sheath): 12.85" L x 2.5" W (32.6 cm x 6.4 cm) gold quality: 95% to 98% (equivalent to 23K+); silver quality: 83% to 88%
The jambiya handle indicates the status and wealth of the man that carries it - such knives were worn as ornamental pieces of status. Yemen and Oman are at the tip Arabian Peninsula - the center of trade routes between East Africa - where copal originates - and India. Jambiya knives were traded to travelers and this popular curved form was adopted by many cultures including the Ottoman Empire, Somalia, Persia, and Indian Mughals.
Provenance: private Lafayette, Colorado, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#168364
Condition Report: Blade is intact with some russet patina near guard. Gold ornaments on handle and pommel are slightly loose but secure. Cracking and chipping to leather sheath. Losses to leather over wood frame. Rubbing and softening of details.
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