A Fine Genoui

  • A Fine Genoui

  • A Fine Genoui

  • A Fine Genoui

  • A Fine Genoui

  • A Fine Genoui

  • A Fine Genoui

  • A Fine Genoui

  • A Fine Genoui

  • A Fine Genoui

  • A Fine Genoui

A Fine Genoui
Berber / Arab
Meknés, Kingdom of Morocco
Dated 1312 (1894) or 1328 (1910)
Steel, rhinoceros horn, silver, wood, leather
Blade: 24,8cm
Hilt & Blade: 41,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 45,4cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 433

A fine genoui dagger from the former Imperial City of Meknés in Northern Morocco. Its name supposedly termed from imported Italian blades from Genoa in the previous centuries from which its form was then locally copied thereafter. It is both stamped and dated. The single-edged straight steel blade has a deep fuller spanning about 3/4 length of the blade before transitioning into a false edge. The ricasso section on each side has a maker's stamp. Richly engraved silver ferrule in fine Arabesque scrollwork. Rhinoceros horn hilt ending in a brass domed pommel cap.

The sheath is wood covered by leather with heavy silver chasing on the locket and chape, decorated in swirling flowers, scrolls, and stippled traditional Moroccan motifs. Two silver stationary mounted suspension rings are attached to the locket. Both sides of the locket and chape are hallmark stamped with a date and the Meknés flower with bullseye stamp. The dates are not entirely clear to decipher, but on one stamp, the number "12" is visible, and on another "28" are clearly legible. The conclusion is either Hijri 1312 (1894) or 1328 (1910), as this is reasonably within the time frame of the knife in comparison to other examples.

A beautiful and stunning work of art by Moroccan smiths for an owner of high social status. Complete with no damage with silver mounting and hilt carved from rhino.