OTTOMAN KINDJAL

19^th century, North Africa. 8 7/8” d.e. blade with line bordered beveled edges and central panel of addorsed triangles, each side. Ebony scale grips with inset concentric circles decorated bone panels each side. This example is an interesting blend of Turkish form with Moroccan/Algerian workmanship. Morocco was independent and under the 1786 Treaty of Friendship with America. Algeria was loosely colonized by France after 1830 but most of their influence was concentrated in Algiers from the beginning. Ottoman influence and the lucrative slave trade and piracy only gradually subsided throughout the century. Excellent. The grips slightly shrunk attesting to its age.