Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian
There are several links to similar images for ceramics, textiles, wallpaper, etc. that refer to a pattern called "quadrostyle Moroccan starry night," which is similar to the pattern you show.
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This is a great solution! Over the years it does seem that many markings and designs found in ethnographic material culture have been used in the forming of certain 'trademarks' found on various items including weapons. This is very much in the convention of trademarks and logos in the western world. Actually for example, the cintamani design found in Central Asian textiles is a device often used as a marking on weapons, just as the fibula and other devices used in the same manner. Many such designs or devices are considered amuletic protection in folk religion and superstition, so this might also be a possibility.
Given that the koummya is a distinctive form of janbiyya familiar throughout the Maghreb from Morocco to Algeria that has been prolifically produced commercially since the mid 19th century for the souvenir trade, there must have been marks like these indicating certain purveyors or suppliers .
In posts over the years one type of similar marking I recall in similar placement on koummya blades was a 'crusaders cross', which is a Greek cross with serifs, and it seems some had smaller crosses placed in the manner of these stars in quadrant.
The distinctively exotic style and character of the koummya seems to been a most common trope used in scenes requiring exotic character in late 19th into Edwardian periods, and even into films well into 20th century. While there is no doubt these were likely worn traditionally by the native peoples of these regions of Morocco and Algeria, the numbers of well made souvenir examples seem to have become most prevalent.
To me this does not diminish at all the character and attractiveness of these daggers, and they are IMO most desirable ethnographic edged weapons, especially the older examples like these.