19th C. Jewelled Omani Khanjar / Jambiya dagger

Found this at my local auction. A brilliant Omani Khanjar! Looks stunning. Just there tarnish on The sheath and hilt but it comes off easily.

The hilt and sheath are finely engraved with flowing patterns repetitive all the way down the dagger. Silver filigree banding is present all over along with 5 precious stones alternating 2 purple stones, 2 green stones, one purple. The handle is also embossed on one side.

I don’t think the metal is silver but I have no idea and haven’t tested it. Their are places where the piece looks as if it has been repaired as a quick fix. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Not many similar to this, they differ quite a lot but here is one sold by antique weapons dealer, though theirs seems to be better quality. They stated theirs as silver and it looks so remarkably similar to mine that it just begs the question is it silver too :
http://www.ashokaarts.com/shop/antique-silver-turkish-khanjar-dagger-with-wootz-steel-blade

 

The sheath and handle metal looks like tinned steel and the blade doesn't look like anything special.Looks more like a tourist type piece.

 

Haha. Fair enough, maybe it is. What do you think of the dagger I linked? Is this a cheap copy of that?

 

I'm going to have to agree with that....what you've both said...

 

Oh dear.
Never trust an auctioneer's description, they rarely know what they are talking about.
There is no filigree, just simple rope twist banding. The 'gemstones' are glass. And I would be very surprised if there is any silver anywhere.
The blade is also cheaply made and does not have the central rib, which is characteristic for Omani and Yemeni khanjars and jambiyas.

I don't know if yours ever saw Oman, but I do know that an Omani gentleman would be very embarassed to wear it. It was made for the Middle Eastern tourist market, possibly in India. Date probably 1960s-80s.

Omani khanjars are symbols of status and identity. Omani men wear very simple clothing and no jewellery, all value is in their belt and daggers, which are stunning. Old daggers often have rhino horn hilts. The use of animal horns is now prohibited in Oman.
Simple dress, stunning silver belt and dagger:


The belts and daggers are for status, but also an investment for dire times. So when an Omani man has money to spare, he invests in silver.
Omani silver items are usually big and sometimes have gold details, like this silver, coral and gold necklace:

http://ethnicjewels.ning.com/photo/marriyah-necklace-oman

More info here:
http://omanisilver.com/contents/en-us/d365_Omani_khanjar.html