The Omani Khanjar

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 13th February 2019, 09:54 PM

[B]OMANI KHANJARS PART TWO[/B]

As a roadmap marker we seem to have arrived more or less at about PART TWO where a slight change of direction may be called for with more of the pictorial log effect and perhaps some daggers not often seen but well worth looking at, and an open house for questions from members on THE OMANI KHANJAR.

The first is this extraordinary piece below sporting a newish style of Omani work knife.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 15th February 2019, 04:37 AM

This one is difficult> The hilt is Yemeni which locals call Zraf Yemeni. It is old Rhino from a Yemeni Jambia with all original silver Yemeni silver furniture> It is an old hilt likely to be an heirloom. The man wearing it has a different pattern on his white Dishdash ...which is from the UAE. The scabbard is deeply cut/patterned on plate silver (not silver stitched).
I think this is a UAE Khanjar.

Battara · 16th February 2019, 02:01 AM

Just for clarification, you mean the silver parts are made of sheet silver, not silver plate over another metal, right?

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 16th February 2019, 08:22 AM

SEE #5 . In the usual case in Oman silver thread is woven in a pattern and affixed to the base material which is a wooden core covered in leather. Occasionally part or all of the scabbard below the belt rings may be made of sheet of varying thickness..#1 also displays some sheet work. This Khanjar in post here has quite thick sheet with a pattern hammered in. It is quite unusual but can happen and as noted this weapon seems off the periphery probably UAE and with a Yemeni hilt from an old Jambia.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 17th February 2019, 09:43 AM

This example suggests a Giraffe horn hilt (Zraff Hindi) and the maker from Nizwa... This is a Nizwaani Khanjar. (of Nizwa)
I was quite interested in this because of the two old floral studs on the hilt and the big work knife tucked behind with a striking pattern not seen before; on the handle. the two miniature shields over the outer rings are said to be of the Nizwa type but not all and many other makers copy this throughout Oman.. called the same as the Omani battleshield; Terrs. For other part names see # 218.

The pins holding on the two button shaped discs at the Hilt would drive me mad however. (I think they are iron nails!)

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 22nd February 2019, 06:15 PM

it is a while since this style has been looked at.. A meaty hilt in Sandalwood on a Dhaakiliyya khanjar (Interior) identified by the large amount of leather showing below the belt section. Sandalwood is a scented hardwood and takes quite closely packed silver pins nicely without splitting. In this case the belt is original to the khanjar with quite unusual decorated tiny terrs shields above the outer rings and a fairly unusual pattern on the lower scabbard. The silverwork above the rings reminds me of the Royal Khanjar style. As does the delicate work on the Qoba'a

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 24th February 2019, 01:20 PM

This Omani Khanjar has a hilt of giraffe horn the Omani people call ZRAF HINDI but as we now know its the African Giraffe..somehow lost or muddled in the translation... I prefer this type of decorated pin on a floral design which is of gold wash on silver; much of it rubbed off by now..

NOTE the miniature stack of silver cannon balls on the end of the scabbard(Qooba) do not represent cannonballs but reflect the abundant wild Mulberry bushes fruit in Oman. they appear on Omani silver jewelry and nearly always on Omani Khanjar scabbards.

22nd February 2019, 06:15 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	it is a while since this style has been looked at.. A meaty hilt in Sandalwood on a Dhaakiliyya khanjar (Interior) identified by the large amount of leather showing below the belt section. Sandalwood is a scented hardwood and takes quite closely packed silver pins nicely without splitting. In this case the belt is original to the khanjar with quite unusual decorated tiny terrs shields above the outer rings and a fairly unusual pattern on the lower scabbard. The silverwork above the rings reminds me of the Royal Khanjar style. As does the delicate work on the Qoba'a Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 22nd February 2019 at 06:27 PM.

24th February 2019, 01:20 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This Omani Khanjar has a hilt of giraffe horn the Omani people call ZRAF HINDI but as we now know its the African Giraffe..somehow lost or muddled in the translation... I prefer this type of decorated pin on a floral design which is of gold wash on silver; much of it rubbed off by now.. NOTE the miniature stack of silver cannon balls on the end of the scabbard(Qooba) do not represent cannonballs but reflect the abundant wild Mulberry bushes fruit in Oman. they appear on Omani silver jewelry and nearly always on Omani Khanjar scabbards. Attached Images

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13th February 2019, 09:54 PM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	[B]OMANI KHANJARS PART TWO[/B] As a roadmap marker we seem to have arrived more or less at about PART TWO where a slight change of direction may be called for with more of the pictorial log effect and perhaps some daggers not often seen but well worth looking at, and an open house for questions from members on THE OMANI KHANJAR. The first is this extraordinary piece below sporting a newish style of Omani work knife. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 13th February 2019 at 10:07 PM.

15th February 2019, 04:37 AM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This one is difficult> The hilt is Yemeni which locals call Zraf Yemeni. It is old Rhino from a Yemeni Jambia with all original silver Yemeni silver furniture> It is an old hilt likely to be an heirloom. The man wearing it has a different pattern on his white Dishdash ...which is from the UAE. The scabbard is deeply cut/patterned on plate silver (not silver stitched). I think this is a UAE Khanjar.

16th February 2019, 02:01 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Just for clarification, you mean the silver parts are made of sheet silver, not silver plate over another metal, right?

16th February 2019, 08:22 AM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	SEE #5 . In the usual case in Oman silver thread is woven in a pattern and affixed to the base material which is a wooden core covered in leather. Occasionally part or all of the scabbard below the belt rings may be made of sheet of varying thickness..#1 also displays some sheet work. This Khanjar in post here has quite thick sheet with a pattern hammered in. It is quite unusual but can happen and as noted this weapon seems off the periphery probably UAE and with a Yemeni hilt from an old Jambia.

17th February 2019, 09:43 AM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This example suggests a Giraffe horn hilt (Zraff Hindi) and the maker from Nizwa... This is a Nizwaani Khanjar. (of Nizwa) I was quite interested in this because of the two old floral studs on the hilt and the big work knife tucked behind with a striking pattern not seen before; on the handle. the two miniature shields over the outer rings are said to be of the Nizwa type but not all and many other makers copy this throughout Oman.. called the same as the Omani battleshield; Terrs. For other part names see # 218. The pins holding on the two button shaped discs at the Hilt would drive me mad however. (I think they are iron nails!) Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 17th February 2019 at 12:29 PM.