Trousse set from Bosnia & Hertzegovina

A very typical Balkan trousse from  from Bosnia & Hertzegovina, inscribed “Saraievo” and dated 1887, 1888.  The good quality blade is straight, single edge, 12 inches long and dated with silver koftgari. The two prong fork is dated and decorated with silver as well. The grips are ivory, set with brass dots and circles and red painted dots. The scabbard is wood covered with black leather. Total length 18 inches. Very good condition. A very good large example of better quality than usual.

This knife has both middle eastern and European features, the hilt decoration and the leather over wood scabbard are very ottoman in style . The straight single edged blade and the inscriptions are very European in style. It represent very well the mix of ethnic groups and conflict in his small country between the Muslim Bosnian and Christian Serbs.