Berber hanger (dagger), Morocco, 19th century

Berber hanger, Morocco, 19th century
Materials: steel, brass, silver, wood
Dimensions: overall length with the sheath 41 cm; length without the sheath 40 cm
Technique: forging, engraving, inlay, decorative metalwork
Provenance: the Maghreb (probably Morocco), Berber culture
Dating: 19th century

The piece is a koummya-type hanger (a short dagger with a curved blade), particular to the mountain regions of Morocco and used by the Berber tribes both as a weapon and as an element of ceremonial dress. The slightly curved blade is single-edged with a sharp point, intended for thrusting. The broad T-shaped handle is characteristic of pieces from the Atlas region and is made of wood or horn, covered with metal mounts engraved with geometric and floral motifs.

The sheath, of engraved and lightly embossed metal, carries stylised foliate decoration, solar motifs and geometric friezes frequently found in North African art. The suspension rings indicate that the piece was worn on the belt, at an angle, on the left side.

The state of preservation is as shown in the photographs, with clear traces of wear to the metal surface: oxidation, scratches, losses of material and slight distortion at the tip of the sheath. The engraved decoration is nevertheless legible and the overall proportions are harmonious.

Daggers of this kind were status symbols, worn by adult men within Berber communities. By the 19th century the koummya had already become a Moroccan national emblem, associated with traditional dress. Many examples were made in the workshops of Fez and Marrakesh, where craftsmen combined Andalusian, Ottoman and local influences.