New Koummya for my collection

Jim McDougall · 11th March 2019, 10:28 PM

The koummya truly is an attractive and exotic looking dagger which is why it has been such a popular souvenier for travelers visiting Morocco and Maghreb destinations. It does seem generally held that these are typically of 20th century and from the souks in these places.
This one seems of earlier form which carries the styling (fluted bone) and the 'peacocks tail' pommel. These usually have designs in geometric form or in some cases script inscriptions and dates.
Actually this one closely parallels an example seen in Pitt Rivers museum and was collected in 1880s.

Charles Buttin in "Les Poignards et les Sabres Morocains' (Hesperis, XXVI:1, 1939) compared the pommels of these to those of the 15th century cinquedea, however it does not seem there is any supportable evidence of linear chronology showing any connection between cinquedea and these relatively modern daggers.

These are considered a version of the Arabian khanjhar from the Maghreb whose style seems to have evolved sometime in the 19th c.
It would be interesting to see any example from earlier.

In any case, this one is an attractive one with genuine age as you have well noted Ken. To me these are attractive culturally representing fascinating regions in times of great adventure, so even as a 'tourist' item, they are exciting antiques.

11th March 2019, 10:28 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,195	The koummya truly is an attractive and exotic looking dagger which is why it has been such a popular souvenier for travelers visiting Morocco and Maghreb destinations. It does seem generally held that these are typically of 20th century and from the souks in these places. This one seems of earlier form which carries the styling (fluted bone) and the 'peacocks tail' pommel. These usually have designs in geometric form or in some cases script inscriptions and dates. Actually this one closely parallels an example seen in Pitt Rivers museum and was collected in 1880s. Charles Buttin in "Les Poignards et les Sabres Morocains' (Hesperis, XXVI:1, 1939) compared the pommels of these to those of the 15th century cinquedea, however it does not seem there is any supportable evidence of linear chronology showing any connection between cinquedea and these relatively modern daggers. These are considered a version of the Arabian khanjhar from the Maghreb whose style seems to have evolved sometime in the 19th c. It would be interesting to see any example from earlier. In any case, this one is an attractive one with genuine age as you have well noted Ken. To me these are attractive culturally representing fascinating regions in times of great adventure, so even as a 'tourist' item, they are exciting antiques.