An interesting .... what is it?

[Rick]

I'll also add that we often see Koummyas dressed in Camel bone hilts and scabbards, for what that's worth.

[Ian]

I'm inclined to agree with Rick and TD. Southern Morocco has a strong Bedouin influence and camel bone would be readily available there. On the other hand, the motifs do not look particularly Moroccan to me.

[gp]

thank you all for your input but I am still not convinced 100%.

root cause:

indeed the "rude" metal decoration would imply a Berber / Tamazight origin in contrast with the more sophinsticated Arab and Sephardic ones in the Maghreb region.
FYI: this difference can also be found in the jewelry ( bracelets, pendants, chains, etc.) of Berbeber versus Arab and Sephardic,, but my doubts are based on the "red" decoration:

in the Magreb coral is used, one way or another but these little dots clearly show to me to be cornelain ( unless it would be colored glass of a more modern made weapon) as this chalcedonye mineral is not used in that region.
Than again I might be mistaken....
To be 100% sure I would need to see it and hoild it in my hand.
Also the "black" line is to thin to be Berber...I believe it to be either a black gemstone or a coloring by some kind of inkt,which "sophistication"one would see more often in the Arab and Ottoman world ( the latter stretching top the Caucasus and East).

Also the type I have not seen in that region, but again I am not an expert even having lived in Morocco and Egypt....

Looking forward to see more examples to prove the case of the above determination, neither offence nor disrespect intended ! Much obliged
Nevertheless it is a veryt nice weapon which would suite any collection ! ☺☼☺

best regards

Gunar

[Bob A]

The beads inset appear to be faceted, which makes me wonder if they are indeed carnelian. Faceting tiny stone beads would require considerable effort, or so it seems to me. Carnelian decoration would be the only indication for me of an Ottoman/Central Asian attribution.

Very interesting knife/puzzle.

[gp]

Originally Posted by Bob A

The beads inset appear to be faceted, which makes me wonder if they are indeed carnelian. Faceting tiny stone beads would require considerable effort, or so it seems to me..

Indeed faceted does raise some questions and could indicate glass cut....
Most interesting questions more and more...

[DaveA]

Here are two new pictures that may be helpful. The lighting is coming from the side. This gives some shadows and thus we can infer shape. What I see:

• The red dots are pits, with both red coloring and bits of crystal-like red material
• The black lines are metallic inlay that is slightly above the surface and casts a shadow

- Dave A.

[gp]

Originally Posted by DaveA

Here are two new pictures that may be helpful. The lighting is coming from the side. This gives some shadows and thus we can infer shape. What I see:

• The red dots are pits, with both red coloring and bits of crystal-like red material
• The black lines are metallic inlay that is slightly above the surface and casts a shadow

- Dave A.

excellent pics! which does raise more questionmarks; defenitly no cornelian but what it is, I can't say ; perhaps other forum members do recognize it..?

As for the black (metal?) inlays: it seems to me too "refined" for the Moroccan tribal ones but more into the Ottoman and or Arab Middle East worlds.
Nevertheless I have seen some Algerian ones with black inlay, although thicker...

Guess best somebody from those regions could perhaps give an indication?
as it still remains a mystery to me but also a beautiful little dagger