Yemen. An Ornate Silver Yemeni Jambiya

A beautifully hand detailed and etched jambiya featuring a short curved steel blade which measures 180 mm in length, with a raised fuller on both sides, the saifani hilt in silver and has a T-shaped silver grip, the obverse of the grip bearing two diamond-shaped icons flanked by balls on either side at the top, the grip itself with two large balls placed at either end of the grip, wrapped overall in multiple rows of ornately detailed pebbling on the obverse and reverse along with the sides on the grip, the reverse of the grip with two large icons bearing multiple emanating rays backing the balls on the obverse, the jambiya measuring 300 mm in length overall. The accompanying sheath has a multi-piece construction and is also in silver, the obverse of the body ornately decorated in multiple rows of beading interlaced with detailed pebbling, disks, shapes and swirls, with six loops in a ring-style added, three on the right side and three on the elbow of the sheath, each of the six loops incorporating a disk bearing seven beads, a large independent arch-like structure affixed that extends from the elbow to the area near the tip, the arch bearing two raised posts and finishes with a diamond-shaped tip. The end bears an ornate crown, the base of which is highlighted by a series of repeating beads and a lattice work covering a voided area, the lattice designed with an entrance hole and an icon of a snake approaching the hole, the crown with a flared dome with multiple emanating rays and surmounted by a tip finished in a large diamond-shaped point. The reverse features an ornate design of multiple bands of alternating beads and swirls at the top of the casement, the sheath itself with a wooden core. The reverse of the sheath exhibits multiple dents and contact marks, with a seam visible in the casement, along with light wear overall from active use. Very fine.