Moroccan Dagger Known As A "koumya" With A Lion's Claw Blade - Morocco, 19th Century

Moroccan dagger known as a "koumya" with a "lion's claw" blade - Morocco, 19th century

A rare type of sickle-shaped blade known as the "lion's claw" (makhles s'ba).

Blade engraved with the famous Arabic maxim (which was the historic motto of the Nasrid Emirate):

"لا غالب إلا الله"
There is no victor but God

According to Charles Buttin (see the catalog of Charles Buttin’s collection of antique European and Oriental weapons); this type of blade was reserved for the sultans’ Black Guard.

Wooden hilt decorated with silver chased with arabesques and floral motifs.

Silver scabbard chased with arabesques and floral motifs.

In fine condition.

Length: 40 cm
Length without sheath: 39 cm
Blade length: 21.5 cm
Weight: 700 g
Weight without sheath: 330 g