"Moorish" dagger for ID and discussion

Iain · 15th April 2013, 09:46 PM

I got this recently off eBay after a bit of bargaining to a price I found acceptable.

It's gone to live for the moment in my "pile" in the USA until I bring a batch over to Europe.

So I'll just attach the seller images which I think show it off quite well.

I've seen these daggers described as North African, West African, Moorish, does anyone have any well sourced info to what ethnic groups these are actually from?

A.alnakkas · 15th April 2013, 10:21 PM

Nice piece Iain, its very nice!

When I started paying attention to the decoration, it reminded me of some of the bronze work coming from Syria.. could be wrong though :-))

RSWORD · 15th April 2013, 11:12 PM

While I don't have specific references to point you to, I would associate this dagger with Senegal. Very similar decoration to other examples from that region plus the metal sleeve over the blade is often seen in daggers from that area.

ericlaude · 16th April 2013, 12:04 AM

Mauritania Tuareg Dagger.

Iain · 16th April 2013, 08:51 AM

Thanks guys,

I've seen elaborate brass/bronze work like this on daggers associated with Senegal and Mauritania as well.

The Tuareg point is interesting - as these differ quite a bit from the usual telek and other arm daggers.

Any chance of a photo of these in the "wild"? I don't recall ever seeing one.

colin henshaw · 15th April 2013, 11:08 PM

I've usually heard old collectors describe this type of dagger as being from Mauritania (ie. Moorish).

15th April 2013, 09:46 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	"Moorish" dagger for ID and discussion I got this recently off eBay after a bit of bargaining to a price I found acceptable. It's gone to live for the moment in my "pile" in the USA until I bring a batch over to Europe. So I'll just attach the seller images which I think show it off quite well. I've seen these daggers described as North African, West African, Moorish, does anyone have any well sourced info to what ethnic groups these are actually from? Attached Images

15th April 2013, 10:21 PM	#2
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Nice piece Iain, its very nice! When I started paying attention to the decoration, it reminded me of some of the bronze work coming from Syria.. could be wrong though :-))

15th April 2013, 11:12 PM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	While I don't have specific references to point you to, I would associate this dagger with Senegal. Very similar decoration to other examples from that region plus the metal sleeve over the blade is often seen in daggers from that area.

16th April 2013, 12:04 AM	#4
ericlaude Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 187	Mauritania Tuareg Dagger.

16th April 2013, 08:51 AM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Thanks guys, I've seen elaborate brass/bronze work like this on daggers associated with Senegal and Mauritania as well. The Tuareg point is interesting - as these differ quite a bit from the usual telek and other arm daggers. Any chance of a photo of these in the "wild"? I don't recall ever seeing one.

15th April 2013, 11:08 PM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	I've usually heard old collectors describe this type of dagger as being from Mauritania (ie. Moorish).