Dagger - Manufatto siriano - Africa - 1920-1930

Excellent ceremonial collection knife, Sirian Khanjar Magdali. Origin: Magdal Shams, Golan Heights. Dating: First half of the 20th century. It was mainly produced in two locations: Damascus and Magdal Shams (the Tower of the Sun), in the Golan Heights, an area contested between Israel and Syria. Sometimes it is difficult to determine where each khanjar was made. The endless discussions and disagreements among collectors contribute to the confusion. I believe that khanjars with a cylindrical handle, with or without a curvature in the center, are made in Magdal Shams. Khandars with a flatter handle are made in Damascus, with many exceptions. Recently, I have noticed good copies of these khanjars from Jezzine, a small village in southern Lebanon known for its extensive knife and dagger production. This knife features a shell-cut blade engraved with red inserts. The handle is crafted with layers and mosaics of horn, bone, brass nails, mother-of-pearl, and colored inserts in an intricate geometric pattern. The scabbard is engraved in silver-plated brass, with two movable carrying rings on the sides. Total length 25.9 x 3.4 x 2 cm. Small chips in the handle. Authentic and refined. Magdali Khanjar.