Vintage Omani Khanjar Jambiya Dagger with Intricately Relief Decorated Sheath

Vintage Omani Khanjar Jambiya Dagger with Intricately Relief Decorated Sheath

A BEAUTIFUL HAND CRAFTED OMANI KHANJAR JAMBIYA DAGGER. CLASSIC JAMBIYA CURVED BLADE WITH A BEAUTIFULLY AND INTRICATELY RELIEF DECORATED SHEATH AND HANDLE WITH THE NATIONAL EMBLEM OF OMAN IN RELIEF ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SHEATH. TWO RINGS FITTED TO SHEATH TO FIT TO BELT.

The national emblem of Oman Janbiya Bo Sayfain, an insignia consisting of a sheathed Jambiya dagger that is superimposed upon two crossed swords. Adopted in the 18th century as the badge of the Omani royal family it subsequently became the national emblem of the Sultanate of Oman. 
 
While the dagger has now lost its status in Oman as an item of daily wear due to the modernisation of the country it can still be seen worn during weddings and other celebrations.
 
Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia. It overlooks the mouth of the Persian Gulf. It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. 
 
MOST WESTERN RESEARCHERS WOULD CALL SUCH A DAGGER A JAMBIYA WHICH IN ARABIC MEANS SIDE BUT THE NOUN KHANJAR IS ALSO SYNONYMOUS TO THESE DAGGERS.
 
SIZE 19CM LONG IN SHEATH SHEATH WIDTH AT WIDEST 8CM
BLADE 9.2CM LONG
HANDLE 8CM LONG
 
CONDITION: BEAUTIFUL CURVED BLADE. ENGRAVED SHEATH IN GOOD CONDITION. BLADE SITS A BIT LOOSE ON INSIDE.
 
JAMBIYA DAGGERS:
For many cultures and societies across the globe, arms and armour played an important role off the battlefield, particularly as markers of social status, military rank, courage, and wealth. In Yemen, this tradition continues to prevail with a dagger known as the jambiya which is derived from the Arabic word for side.
Generally, the jambiya is characterized by a short, broad, double-edged, curved blade that gradually tapers to the tip, with a raised midrib that runs down the length. The most important part of the jambiya is the hilt or handle; it reveals the owners status since it is what an observer would immediately notice. Thus, much care goes into its creation and decoration. Standard hilts are often made from the horns and bones of cows, goats, or water buffalos; the hooves or bones of camels; metal; or wood. Men of distinction opt for more exotic and precious materials, including agate, jasper, red and yellow amber, silver, and elephant or walrus ivory. However, the most coveted material was, and still is, rhinoceros horn.
The jambiya was an ideal weapon for arabic semi-nomadic and rural populations, who primarily used it in defence. The short, curved blade provided several advantages for the wielder. First, when worn at the waist, it allowed for mobility and comfort while travellingor even fightingon horse or camel. Second, like most curved knives and daggers, the blade bends towards the opponent, eliminating the need to angle the wrist, thus providing more ease and stability as a stabbing weapon than a straight-edged blade. Third, it allowed for more agile movements, including cutting and twisting upwards. It should be mentioned that the blades heaviness was also significant for combat; it made it possible to inflict deeper wounds than a standard knife, as it could cut through muscle and bone.
HOWEVER, WITH THE ADVENT OF FIREARMS IN THE EARLY TO MID-16TH CENTURY IT SLOWLY TRANSITIONED FROM AN INSTRUMENT OF WAR AND DEFENCE TO A SYMBOL OF HONOUR, IDENTITY, STATUS, POWER, AND MASCULINITY. BOYS ARE PRESENTED WITH THEIR FIRST JAMBIYA TO MARK THEIR PASSAGE INTO MANHOOD.
The jambiya is stored in a J-shaped sheath that was traditionally made from wood and covered with cloth, leather, or metal. It is worth noting that the shape has a practical purpose: the hook would catch in ones belt so that it was not pulled along with a suddenly drawn weapon.
THE JAMBIYA IS TUCKED INTO A BELT OR WAIST SASH OF A ROBE OR PLACED WITHIN THE TOP OF A WRAP-AROUND SKIRT. WHILE SOME MEN WEAR THEIR JAMBIYA AT ALL TIMES, IT IS COMMONLY WORN FOR WEDDINGS, AND OTHER CELEBRATIONS.
 
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