Antique 18th Century Islamic Arab Silver Dagger Jambiya With Belt

Antique 18th century, Islamic Arab Silver dagger, Khanjar Jambiya with belt. A broad, slightly curved, double-edged iron blade formed with a pronounced medial ridge on each side, the shaped silver hilt finely repousse and engraved with chevrons decorated with filigree work and adorned with large pyramidal shaped protrusions.

A wooden scabbard is covered on the front with low grade eastern silver decorated in openwork with scrolling vegetation. The upper part is covered with fabric knitted in silver metallic thread; the back of the scabbard is covered in canvas.

Hand woven cloth belt backed by plain fabric. is adorned with four rosettes finely pierced with scrolls and affixed with iron buckle and a leather belt for closure.

MEASUREMENTS:
Overall length with the scabbard: 44.5 cm (17.52 inches).
Overall length with the scabbard: 38 cm (14.96 inches).

CONDITION: The dagger and the belt are overall in good condition showing its age and usage.
Please see all 12 photos in the listing, as they are part of the item's condition description.

REFERENCES:

1. A similar Jambiya dated to the 18th is published in the book Les Armes Blanches du Monde Islamique: Armes de poing, Épées, Sabres, Poignards, Couteaux by Alain Jacob. Page 141

Please see the last picture in the listing.

The buyer will be provided with copies of the pages from these two mentioned references along with a certificate of authenticity.

Jambiya intended to be worn by men on the outsides of their clothing as the symbol of male honor and the status symbol of the owners to show off their wealth and social class and almost mystical to some.

The word Jambiya is derived from the Arabic word for "side," because the dagger is usually worn on the side of a person.