KABYLE (ALGERIAN BERBER) DAGGER FLYSSA

Exceptional example. 12" wedge section blade, both sides with brass inlays and chiseled panels. Plain brass guard. Hilt and scabbard encased in leather. The grip and pommel covered in rows of cowries. The scabbard with matching decoration. Leather scabbard tip is worn/tattered otherwise excellent. Cowries were the most common form of shell currency. They are native to the southeast coast of Africa and Indian Ocean. In North Africa, they were imports and highly valued. This display of wealth would have been both ostentatious and a temptation for thieves in the streets and bazaars.