Lebanese Khanjar
Lebanese Khanjar
Jezzine, Lebanon
Second quarter of the 20th century (ca. 1925 - 1935)
Steel, horn, brass, bone, wood, iron
Blade: 11,7cm
Hilt & Blade: 21cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 22,2cm
Collection Date: 2025
Collection Number: 481
Ex. American Art Market (2025)
A khanjar from the South Lebanese city of Jezzine, widely known for their manufacture of cutlery. Many of their wares incorporate horn or bone handles carved in the form of birds and fish styling. These knives are particularly noted for their intricate and patterned colorful inlays. This example was produced around the second quarter of the 20th century.
The curved double- edged steel blade has a twin central fuller spanning nearly to the acute point. The hilt carved from dark horn decorated with engraved brass plaques on all four sides. Decorated with a series of circular bone inserts including dyed red bone, with the top inlaid in flower pedal designs. Silver brass cross guard with bone inlays and a flared silver brass pommel.
The sheath of a wooden interior covered in silver brass sheet heavily stippled in traditional Levant style. Attached are two iron suspension rings. The back side of the sheath has an iron belt loop. A good quality Jezzine knife from around the second quarter of the 20th century.