Antique Omani Silver Khunjar with T-Shape HORNHilt Muscat Design SUPERB

Antique Omani Silver Khunjar with T-Shaped HORNHilt. SUPERB PIECE OF OMANI HISTORICAL CULTURE.

Length: 29 cm - Width: 17 cm. Khunjar is the name given to the curved dagger in ornamental scabbard which was once worn all over the Arabian Peninsula but is most often seen nowadays in Oman where it is still worn with pride as part of the national dress. The National emblem of Oman depicts a centrally placed khunjar over two crossed swords, a crest which appears on the Omani flag and each denomination of the local currency notes. The one Riyal note also displays a large khunjar in fine detail together with a selection of Omani jewellery.

Huge ornamental replicas have been constructed at many of the road junctions in Muscat and Nizwa and along the roadside throughout the country. Miniature versions may also be seen as a decorative embellishment on such diverse items as coffee pots, silver and gold jewellery and even the wheel hubs of local taxis and trucks! The hilt of the old khunjar is traditionally fashioned from wood, bone or cow horn and much more rarely, from "large African Beast HORN". The handle may be entirely or partially covered in silver, or have a simpler design of silver pins and floral decorations, but the base will always have a wide band of decorated silver above the horizontal belt connection.

Elements of this particular pattern will be repeated on the band at the top of the scabbard to which the lower part connects when the blade is inserted. The scabbard may be made from leather or wood and is often backed with green or red felt. The style of decorative silver work on the front of the scabbard varies from town to town. A khunjar from Sur will typically have a finely worked pattern of silver wire leaving part of the leather exposed, whereas one from Muscat or Rostaq may be ornately and intricately embroidered with fine silver thread covering the whole of the casing. Ibri, Bahla and Sanaw khunjars are more likely to feature engraved floral patterns on solid bands of silver, and Nizwa may combine all three styles.

Regardless of the overall design, the small toe section will almost invariably be finely engraved. You may see more and larger size pictures on the dropbox link below.

Pictures are Part of the Description. Please wait for the invoice before paying. Please feel free to ask me any questions about this item. Thank you for your interest. The item "Antique Omani Silver Khunjar with T-Shape HORNHilt Muscat Design SUPERB" is in sale since Sunday, March 05, 2017.

This item is in the category "Antiques\Asian/Oriental Antiques\Islamic/Middle Eastern". The seller is "freddynoel" and is located in Holt. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Product: Ornaments
• Sub-Type: Letter Opener
• Age: 1900-1940
• Original/Repro: Original
• Region of Origin: Sultanate of Oman
• Primary Material: Silver