Dharia (Sabiki) Short Sword
Dharia (Sabiki) Short Sword
Hijaz - Asir - Jizan, Arabia (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Early 20th century (ca. 1900 - 1920)
Steel, brass, horn, coral, glass, wood, leather
Blade: 36,8cm
Hilt & Blade: 50,2cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 50,5cm
Collection Date: 2016
Collection Number: 72
Ex. Auctions Imperial: Chatsworth, California, USA (2016)
A fine dharia or Sabiki short sword from the Western Coastal region of Saudi Arabia. The curved steel blade is flat with a slightly raised center. The hilt has a full tang construction with brass plates between on either side of the iron tang. Scale grips of horn, possibly rhinoceros from the layered blonde strands present. It is adorned with silver fittings of silver filigree, granules, and rounded flowered rosette studs. Decorated with two red stones, likely that of red coral.
The sheath, wood covered in leather and decorated with fine silver filigree and granule mountings. The red stone, probably a glass bead, is present on the silver mouth, while below is a silver floral pendant strung by leather bands. Minor wear to the sheath. A great example of the dharia sword of fine craftsmanship and beauty.
[1] https://oriental-arms.com/product/a-saudi-daharia-long-dagger-from-hijaz-asir/
[2] https://oriental-arms.com/product/silver-mounted-daharia-sabiki-jambiya-dagger-2/
[3] https://oriental-arms.com/product/short-daharia-sabiki-jambiya-dagger/
[4] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/sabiki-or-wahhabite-jambiya