2000/084/737

This type of knife, known as a khanjar or jambiya, is carried by men in many areas of the Middle East. They carry it at the waist, either with its own belt, as here, or tucked into a waistband. How Wright acquired it is unknown. Different unknown craftsmen made the knife and the scabbard. Nowadays, the jambiya is more ceremonial than functional, and men carry it for special occasions.

2000/084/737 (image/jpeg)
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Summary

: 2000/084/737

: British Empire & Commonwealth

: weapon

: khanjar

: Curved knife, known as a khanjar. Curved iron blade, triple rib, rusted. Wooden hilt covered in hide at back, leather or hide and sheet silver on front. Sheet silver decorated with wire and granulations at top and bottom, hide in between embroidered with metal wire and ribbon. An elaborate fixing for the strap is tied in the middle of the sheath, with large brass rings to attach the strap. The hide strap has a small buckle, and a small pouch attached (for coins?). Collector's note: Somali / Arab, 1942 Yemen

2000/084/737

Armine Wright collection

Current Location

: British Empire & Commonwealth Museum Collection

: Wright

: Yemen, Western Asia, Asia

: Somalia, East Africa, Africa

: Arab

: Yemen or Somalia

: Yemen or Somalia

: 1942

: Transferred from the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, 2012

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