The answer is somewhat unexpected: it is a Latvian (Riga) knife for .... cutting flax:-)
Seriously.
Quite sme time ago I asked the same question on a Russian forum and was enlightened with other examples, pics from a museum in Riga etc.
The form is so "oriental" and "vicious", that one easily gets confused. But in reality, it is just a very peaceful agricultural/industrial implement.
Happy New Year!
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