Marsh Arab (Iraqi)? Jambiya

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Lee

. Considering the quality of the blade, do you think this dagger was made for local use or is it from the higher end of the items made for travelers?

Hi,
It's a serious question.
And I have a different opinion from my colleagues.
Why dissociate higher local users and travelers or tourists?
These objects are from the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th c.
There were few tourists and travellers, not like now.
It's clear that the craftmen who did these objects were very skilled and with a deep knowledge. They probably worked for both wealthy local elite and rich travellers. Or even the objects were produced to satisfy both local and travellers. No one can say! I just know that nowadays the techniques are lost or almost and objects for tourists are of a very low quality if not made in China!! My comments can be applied to daggers as Qajar axes and other objets from the end of the 19th c...
Best,
Kubur