Bone handled steel knife, hasp marked “Debrecen.” Blade engraved wtih rampant lions bearing shield engraved in Hebrew "Samuel." L: 520mm. Housed in fitted wooden box with brown felt interior. Worn.

UNUSUAL DECORATED KNIFE FOR RITUAL SLAUGHTER IN FITTED BOX. Hungary, late 19th - early 20th century.

A Shochet, who is ritually qualified to slaughter animals for Kosher consumption, uses a knife known as a Halef. Ritual law requires these knives to be extremely sharp and unblemished; the edge is perfectly straight to prevent stabbing, and their blade must be longer than the diameter of the animal’s neck. Note the details of the engraved image: the lions differ, but were executed by a skilled engraver; the name was engraved by a less skilled artisan without using a machine.