Dagger from India?

A.alnakkas · 16th March 2019, 05:42 PM

This style is a Lebanese style. Most are coming from Jezzine, Lebanon but in far lesser quality. The one you show is probably the best I have seen but there are a few things to point out. The scabbard is of typical Syrian construction. It is not uncommon to see daggers from other parts of the Levant having editions done in Syria.

I also think that this dagger had very recent editions, likely done by one of the Syrian swordmakers who migrated to Lebanon after the Syrian civil war. But I could be wrong here.

Though the best feature is the blade, likely a heirloom and VERY well made.

Let me know if you ever wanted to part with it.

corrado26 · 16th March 2019, 06:10 PM

Many thanks for your very interesting explanations I'd never thought of Lebanon or Syria. If I ever want to part with it, I'll contact you, promised!
corrado26

ariel · 16th March 2019, 06:11 PM

Agree : Lebanon.
And, BTW, Syrian silver koftgari is very reminiscent of the one we have discussed in the Pala topic.

motan · 17th March 2019, 01:21 AM

Hi Corrado26,
I agree with Ariel and A.Alnakkas. It is Lebanese. The hilt from a single round piece of horn, the thin ferrule that connects the hilt and the blade and guard, or guard-like piece with the pointy middle that fits in the groove of the hilt are 100% Lebanese, and most probably from the Jezzine area.
It is not very old, but I see no reason to assume that it is recent. To me, it looks more like it has been cleaned with too much enthusiasm.
I also see a mix with Syrian elements - the blade looks Syrian and similar to some that of Majdali daggers of the round handle type. The scabbard also looks Syrian, but the point is a general Ottoman feature.
I have seen mixes of Lebanese and Syrian styles before and that should not be surprising. The separation of Syria and Lebanon as countries dates to the French mandate. Majdal Shams and Jezzine are not much further apart than a day's march on foot. It is known that many inhabitants of Majdal worked in the timber industry in Lebanon and had many contacts there.
Anyway, it is a very nice piece and I would't mind having it myself.
I added pictures of two daggers that are not similar to yours, but show a similar mixture of styles.

corrado26 · 17th March 2019, 08:38 AM

Many thanks but please tell me how this item has to be called?
corrado26

A.alnakkas · 17th March 2019, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

Many thanks but please tell me how this item has to be called?
corrado26

Lebanese dagger? :-)

Kubur · 17th March 2019, 10:03 AM

Modern Lebanese Majdali
I let to Motan the definition of the Majdali, but I assume that it's a Lebanese / Druze local variation...

ariel · 17th March 2019, 12:56 PM

Agree with A. alnakkas: just “ Lebanese Dagger”:-) Although one can legitimately call it "Jezzine dagger".

Majal Shams is a Druze village at the Golan Heights. It has its own style of daggers that is unmistakably characteristic: spool-like handle made of multicolored stacked elements. Due to its souvenir popularity and the fact that Golan Heights are currently in Israel similar daggers are now manufactured in other places in Syria and Lebanon.

Lebanese style largely stems from Maronite Christian workshop in Jezzine, established by Haddad family some 250 years ago. Haddad work became so famous that it earned an article in the National Geographic in 1958. Older examples carry handles similar to the one shown here. Its currently most popular style has a Phoenix-like handle mostly used for expensive cutlery sets. I suspect that by now other workshops are imitating Haddad knives.

These two styles are very distinct and should not be used in one sentence. The only common feature is a curved blade.

Here are pics: older style Jezzine dagger, current most popular Haddad knives and Majal Shams Druze dagger.

A.alnakkas · 17th March 2019, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

Modern Lebanese Majdali
I let to Motan the definition of the Majdali, but I assume that it's a Lebanese / Druze local variation...

Nope. The style is specific to Jezzine, southern Lebanon. Has nothing to do with Majdalshams. Scabbard is likely done in Damascus or.... Beirut.

17th March 2019, 01:21 AM	#4
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	Hi Corrado26, I agree with Ariel and A.Alnakkas. It is Lebanese. The hilt from a single round piece of horn, the thin ferrule that connects the hilt and the blade and guard, or guard-like piece with the pointy middle that fits in the groove of the hilt are 100% Lebanese, and most probably from the Jezzine area. It is not very old, but I see no reason to assume that it is recent. To me, it looks more like it has been cleaned with too much enthusiasm. I also see a mix with Syrian elements - the blade looks Syrian and similar to some that of Majdali daggers of the round handle type. The scabbard also looks Syrian, but the point is a general Ottoman feature. I have seen mixes of Lebanese and Syrian styles before and that should not be surprising. The separation of Syria and Lebanon as countries dates to the French mandate. Majdal Shams and Jezzine are not much further apart than a day's march on foot. It is known that many inhabitants of Majdal worked in the timber industry in Lebanon and had many contacts there. Anyway, it is a very nice piece and I would't mind having it myself. I added pictures of two daggers that are not similar to yours, but show a similar mixture of styles. Attached Images

17th March 2019, 12:56 PM	#8
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Agree with A. alnakkas: just “ Lebanese Dagger”:-) Although one can legitimately call it "Jezzine dagger". Majal Shams is a Druze village at the Golan Heights. It has its own style of daggers that is unmistakably characteristic: spool-like handle made of multicolored stacked elements. Due to its souvenir popularity and the fact that Golan Heights are currently in Israel similar daggers are now manufactured in other places in Syria and Lebanon. Lebanese style largely stems from Maronite Christian workshop in Jezzine, established by Haddad family some 250 years ago. Haddad work became so famous that it earned an article in the National Geographic in 1958. Older examples carry handles similar to the one shown here. Its currently most popular style has a Phoenix-like handle mostly used for expensive cutlery sets. I suspect that by now other workshops are imitating Haddad knives. These two styles are very distinct and should not be used in one sentence. The only common feature is a curved blade. Here are pics: older style Jezzine dagger, current most popular Haddad knives and Majal Shams Druze dagger. Attached Images Last edited by ariel; 17th March 2019 at 01:18 PM.

16th March 2019, 05:42 PM	#1
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	This style is a Lebanese style. Most are coming from Jezzine, Lebanon but in far lesser quality. The one you show is probably the best I have seen but there are a few things to point out. The scabbard is of typical Syrian construction. It is not uncommon to see daggers from other parts of the Levant having editions done in Syria. I also think that this dagger had very recent editions, likely done by one of the Syrian swordmakers who migrated to Lebanon after the Syrian civil war. But I could be wrong here. Though the best feature is the blade, likely a heirloom and VERY well made. Let me know if you ever wanted to part with it.

16th March 2019, 06:10 PM	#2
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,226	Many thanks for your very interesting explanations I'd never thought of Lebanon or Syria. If I ever want to part with it, I'll contact you, promised! corrado26

16th March 2019, 06:11 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Agree : Lebanon. And, BTW, Syrian silver koftgari is very reminiscent of the one we have discussed in the Pala topic.

17th March 2019, 08:38 AM	#5
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,226	Many thanks but please tell me how this item has to be called? corrado26

17th March 2019, 10:03 AM	#7
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Modern Lebanese Majdali I let to Motan the definition of the Majdali, but I assume that it's a Lebanese / Druze local variation...