Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1024 - Arabian Dharia or Jambiya Dagger with Sheath

This well-worn and genuinely antique long curved double-edged dagger is typical of those from Hijaz and Asir (modern day Saudi Arabia). The hilt appears to have been built up over a central iron plate with dark horn scales (suffering losses suggestive of insect damage) bound with well worn brass at the edges and overlaid with white metal (low grade silver versus nickel silver) decoration on the display face; the opposite face is plain and entirely functional. The hilt also has brass trim adjacent to the exit of the blade. The curved double-edged blade is 15½ inches (39.5 cm) in length with crudely engraved decoration in the central forte of either face. Patchy moderate old pitting is seen especially towards the central convex edge and tip and occasionally creates irregularity at the edge. Towards its mouth the scabbard is covered with decorated brass on the display face with a raised rectangular panel of blackened metal, likely silver, being present near the center; the mouth locket giving way to sheet iron on the back. There appears to be a patch repair to the brass along the convex side. Most of the sheath is covered with leather and there is a brass covered tip. The scabbard is lined with red cloth over wood. Though the dagger fits the sheath reasonably well, the workmanship is different and these parts may not have started together. Overall length is 23¼ inches (59½ cm) with a weight of 23¾ ounces (671 grams).


Arabian Dharia or Jambiya Dagger

Arabian Dharia or Jambiya Dagger

Arabian Dharia or Jambiya Dagger

Arabian Dharia or Jambiya Dagger

Arabian Dharia or Jambiya Dagger



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