I can't place it either. What it most reminds me of is a goofy modern piece I saw at a show. That "knife" (well, it had a sharpened edge on part of it) was made by a journeyman smith as a demonstration of his talents. It had curliques, spirals, and all sorts of other impracticalities, but it did demonstrate an ability to work with metal.
I wonder if the same thing is going on here. There are so many different features on this blade that it almost looks like the maker was demonstrating the breadth of his talents, rather than making a functional piece.
It could also be a fantasy piece. Where it's from, I don't know. I'd almost guess 19th/early 20th century European, simply because it's so apparently useless and so lacking in characteristic features.
Neat, though.
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