A Silver-mounted Iraqi khanjar

A silver-mounted khanjar dagger from Iraq. This type of khanjar, with an attenuated I-shaped hilt made of dark horn is generally associated with the so-called "Marsh Arabs". However, the style of niello decoration with images of boats, palm trees, and mosques with an almost Art Deco flavour is generally considered to be the work of Mandaean silversmiths working in Baghdad in the early 20th century.  Since then, religious persecution has caused the vast majority of the Mandaean community to flee the region.
 
The blade is firm in the hilt. The horn hilt has a small worm hole in the front, but is otherwise solid. The silver cladding is firm on the scabbard, but there is a small piece torn off at the mouth of the scabbard. 
 
Blade length: 20 cm
Overall length:  31 cm
Length in scabbard: 33 cm
First half of the 20th century
Shipping: C$40 to the U.S. and Canada