I think I'd tend to disagree with the cinqueda comparison if for no other reason than the N. african knives that were being dated as recent because hilts had the same shape as the German WWII daggers.
I've got a similar piece that's far less ornate, although also silver that does have a sharp blade and appears to be a user knife...although non-jeweled, it's of a similar size and also has the large "pyramids" in the hilt and sheath that look like they would make for an uncomfortable grip yet seem to have exactly the opposite effect.
Artzi gave me another name for them once that had something to do with the pommel shape being the same as the large Napoleanic hats.....actually, if you consider his route and the "pyramids" they may well have been designed in honor of or even by Napolean himself.
Granted, it's a stretch, but I would think well within the realm of possibility, particularly if you consider his reputed ego.
Yours strikes me as a presentation piece, to be honest with you, for while it's flamboyant it stops short of gaudy as is often the case with jeweled daggers from the region and manages to hold a somewhat elegant look to it, at least in my humble opinion......from the scabbard rings to the back it seems to miss the typical tourist trademarks or give-aways by a fair margin.
In case you haven't picked up on it, I think you picked up quite a nice piece there....congratulations.
Mike
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