Jambiya Knife with horn hilt, sheath and belt

I currently have a jambiya knife that my dad brought back from yeman when he was as in the navy some 30 years ago. It's has a horn hilt, possibly ivory and comes in a sheath and belt. The condition is good for the age of it. Was just wondering if anyone could help me with the price?

Thanks

 

Jambiya dagger with sheath and belt by Harry graham posted Jan 5, 2017 at 3:37 PM

Jambiya Dagger by Harry graham posted Jan 5, 2017 at 3:37 PM

K

 

Welcome!
There will be folks along to help.

 

First off I will say that I don't know a lot about this type of item, but if indeed it is real ivory and your dad brought it back 30 years ago from Yemen than it may not be sellible. Here is an article concerning the laws about sale of ivory.
https://www.fws.gov/international/travel-and-trade/ivory-ban-questions-and-answers.html

 

Auctionata ( don't know them ), has this one posted as sold for 432 Pounds.
I don't know when or where the sale took place.........
& while I know the type of blade well...( I prefer the longer thinner ones...) I'd have to have it in hand to comment on age or value.

Now...having said that , your item could very well have been bought at the market where they have been making these knives, sheaths and belts for many years ....in vast quantities !



Yours , on the other hand does look to have age.....but I'm concerned about the blade...which even on much older knives are usually shown as clean and rust free....

Oriental-Arms....19th Cent....blade, belt, & sheath...




I'm not certain as to the Blue sheath which seems to show up on full dress occasions......



but as you see here, older men also sport this color sheath.......





So, in conclusion.......you'll have to run this one by a specialist to get a handle on a fair market price...once yours is identified as to age.

 

a close up of the handle and blade would be nice....

 

You will find your answer in this listing of Jambiya sold on Eboo. Choose ten that resemble yours, add up the sold prices and divide by 10. Don't use items sold on offers nor those containing precious metals, rhino horn, etc.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Jambiya&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=23502&_sargn=-1&saslc=1&_salic=1&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&LH_Complete=1

Of course there is no guarantee that yours can be sold for that amount. Yours is almost certainly a souvenir item, so don't use antique item prices either, but most sellers won't be able to tell new ones from old.

 

The hilts on older Yemeni jambiyas are often made of rhino horn, a problem when trying to sell them. A detailed photograph would be nice.