Code: AN21
A janbiya produced circa 1920 - 1940 in the Druze town of Majdal Shams (مجدل شمس, “Tower of the Sun”) situated on the remote high slopes of mount Hermon in the Golan, Syria (jurisdiction of Israel since 1967). Also called a “Majdali”, this type of janbiya is characterized by a flatter hilt without the multicolor stones typical of Damascus, Syria janbiya. The use of crescent and star decoration suggests influence of Ottoman rule.
This example includes an original nicely tooled leather sheath.
Read more about Janbiya / jambiya in my collection.
The flattened hilt is made from layered rings of goat horn and bone, inlayed with brass decorations and in this example, ornamented with stones having the color of the Syrian flag. This latter feature is more common on janbiya originating in Damascus.
The pommel is brass, carved.
Typical of the majdali type of jambiya, the blade has a slight diamond cross section and is decorated with a poem on both sides.
