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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,145
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Hi Guys,
I would like to have your opinion about these two beauties sold recently. They are Tunisian to me but I' not sure. For sure they are from the 19th c. They are huge like the dharia... They are really mysterious and not common. But the decorations on the grip are common on some daggers attributed to Tunisa, Lebanon or even Armenia! It's a big mess between dealers and specialists. I think myself that they are from Tunisia. Best, Kubur ![]() |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 413
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Hi,
The shape of the hilt, with a crested "drooping" pommel (also known as a "hooked" pommel) suggests southern Iraq, possibly originating with the Marsh Arabs ("Arab al-Ahwār"). However, the size is very large compared to other examples I've seen. Very elegant. I look forward to learning more. - Dave A. |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 2,731
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Two absolutely beautiful knives. Thanks for posting.
North Africa somewhere IMHO. The two rings on the scabbard of one of them suggests suspension by Baldric as is usual in Morocco. The "drooping pommel" described by Dave is not necessarily Iraq. Here are pics of drooping type of pommels on Arabian Dharias. Stu |
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 841
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I would wote for North Africa, Maghreb Region (engravings on the scabbard)
Regards, Martin |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,145
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Hi Guys,
Thanks for your messages. I agree with Stu, IMHO this kind of hilt is common in several Muslim countries, such as Kurdish / Turkish and Turkish / Ottomans / Balkans.... Best, Kubur |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,145
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Another example probably from North Africa / Tunisia
with some similarities to the previous ones. ![]() |
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#7 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,896
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I agree with Stu's note observing the baldric type suspension rings on one of the brass scabbards, suggesting of course, Maghreb potential in degree. The inscriptions and overall character and quality very nice!
In post #6, note the Albacete type piercing in the blade, and seeming assortment of influences in overall components, possibly Spanish colonies in Morocco? and this seems to have good age to it. Basically many ethnographic forms of more modern (latter 19th c, onward into 20th) knives reflect influences from various places across North Africa and into Middle East in curiously contrived hybrids. While typically quite attractive they well illustrate the futility of trying to classify these regionally as a rule. In classifying these kinds of weapons, it is usually best to describe them as accurately as possible while adding qualifying influences which might add to origin. When the classification 'tourist' is reluctantly considered in some items, the diffusion of these through commercial channels is difficult to imagine in scope. |
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#8 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
Posts: 4,408
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![]() Quote:
Initially the pendulum swung through Saudia to Kurdish for good reason ...even looking at Syrian etc etc but finally I found a picture of an African style ....chasing the design idea of the dots inside the circles on the hilt...at http://collectiblefirearms.com/Pictures/dag_0081-08.JPG I think that takes us closer.. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 22nd July 2015 at 10:52 AM. |
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