Syrian Khanjar
Syrian Khanjar
Arab - Druze
Majdal Shams, Ottoman Syria (Syria)
1909
Steel, horn, bone, coral, brass, nacre, lead or pewter, wood, turquoise, plastic
Blade: 15,9cm
Hilt & Blade: 28,3cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 30,8cm
Collection Date: 2025
Collection Number: 491
Ex. Oriental Arms, Haifa, Israel (2025)
A very fine khanjar dagger from Syria during Ottoman period, dated to 1909. This example comes from 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 presents a set of twin central fullers leading to the acute point. The forte is engraved with floral scrollwork on each side.
The hilt is carved from layered segments of goat horn and bone, with a brass ferrule and pommel. The hilt is decorated with mosaic inserts of dyed red bone, nacre, pink coral, brass strips, brass nails, and lead or pewter stars representative of the Ottoman Empire. The rear side has a brass plate with an engraved Hijri date of 1327, corresponding to the year 1909 Gregorian calendar. Brass ferrule, and a brass pommel plate, which is finely incised with swirling designs.
The wooden interior sheath is completely incased in brass sheet finely incised with traditional Levant designs. One original turquoise stone is set with the others being plastic replacements from a later date. On the rear side, a brass belt loop is attached
A very fine khanjar of excellent quality and craftsmanship in traditional Syrian construction. This example is one of the nicest styles that I have seen so far. The exceptional quality of workmanship paired with the contrast of vibrant colors shows the great talent of the maker. Complete and dated.
[1] https://oriental-arms.com/product/exceptional-early-syrian-khanjar-magdali-dagger-dated-1247-1850/