Syrian Khanjar
Arab - Druze
Majdal Shams, French Mandate of Syria (Syria)
Second quarter of the 20th century (ca. 1925- 1945)
Steel, horn, bone, brass, nacre
Blade: 14,3cm
Hilt & Blade: 25,7cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2020
Collection Number: 104

Ex. American Art Market (2020)

A khanjar dagger from Syria during the time of the late French Mandate period. This example comes the Druze town of Majdal Shams or, Tower of the Sun, famous for their workshops of steel making blades. The knives are known for their intricate and beautiful patterns of mosaic inlays. They are often known as Majdali daggers by collectors.

The curved, double- edged steel blade having two central fullers with engraved floral meandering vines and a dot pattern between. The remaining 1/4 length to the point has a medial ridge.

The hilt is carved from layered segments of goat horn, bone, with a brass ferrule and pommel. Spherical horn central grip. The hilt is decorated with inserts of dyed bone, nacre, brass strips, and pewter stars representing the Syrian national colors. A very good khanjar in traditional Syrian design available at a cheap price.

[1] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=8837 (Sold $245)

[2] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2997

[3] https://oriental-arms.com/product/very-good-syrian-khanjar-magdali-dagger/ (Sold $375 March 2022)