Khodmi (Bou Saáda Knife)
Khodmi (Bou Saáda Knife)
Berber
Bou Saáda, French Algeria (Bou Saáda, Algeria)
Early 20th century (ca. 1900 - 1930)
Steel, wood, leather, copper
Blade: 15,9cm
Hilt & Blade: 27,3cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 27,9cm
Collection Date: 2021
Collection Number: 246
Ex American Art Market (2021)
An Algerian knife known as a khodmi in Amazigh, commonly used for everyday utility purposes. They are also called Bou Saáda knives by collectors, referring to the Algerian City of Bou Saáda from where they are produced and sold. These type of knives take their form from earlier European Mediterranean knives from places like Genoa and Corsica. Many examples date to World War II as bringbacks from the North Africa Campaign. This is an earlier example from the 20th century with good age.
The straight steel blade is single- edged with a false edge for roughly the remaining 3/4 of the blade. On one side, two shallow fullers follow the lower half. A copper circular plug is present between two stamps, reminiscent of the early Italian maker's marks, along with some engraved linework. On the reverse side are some geometric designs in a pattern.
The hilt is composed of carved wood bound in copper and steel wire. Notched steel bolster and line work on the spine. The sheath is embossed dyed red leather over wood with an iron suspension ring. Attached is a leather lanyard carrying strap that is threaded through the hilt hole for a secure grip when in use. A good quality and older, complete example of the Algerian Khodmi knife.
Photograph 10: The Hunter, 1902, by Etienne Dinet.
[1] Claude, Eric. 2020. “The Small Catalog of Moroccan and Algerian Edged Weapons”. Page 224
[2] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=6168
[3] https://africanarms.com/gallery?khodmi-in-scabbard-knife-23-5-cm