Syrian Khanjar
French Mandate of Syria (Syria)
Early 20th century (ca. 1920)
Steel, horn (goat), bone (goat), brass, colored inserts (bone or coral?), nacre, iron, wood
Blade: 16,5cm
Hilt & Blade: 29,2cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 31,1cm
Collection Date: 2021
Collection Number: 415

Ex. American Private Collection (2021)

A fine khanjar from Syria during the beginning years of the French Mandate period. Syrian knives are known for their intricate and beautiful mosaic inlays. This example is larger than the average often seen.

The blade is curved, double- edged steel with untranslated acid- etched script at the forte, usually an Islamic poem or verse. The hilt is carved from segments of goat horn, bone, and brass. Decorated with brass strips and tacks, red colored inserts of either dyed bone or coral, and nacre inlay. Circle- dot decoration on the bone segments. With a brass pommel. The sheath is a wood base covered by an iron sheet with finely overlayed traditional Syrian designs. A quality old example of larger dimensions.

[1] https://oriental-arms.com/product/very-good-syrian-khanjar-magdali-dagger/