This dagger is most commonly known as a Moroccan "wedding nimcha". In this incarnation it is a tourist item or at best used in celebrations, weddings, etc... The blade is derived from the flyssa sword type from the Algerian Kabyles. The handle derives from that of Moroccan nimcha swords and another ellusive sabre simply referred to as "Berber sabres". Manufacture of the small, curved flyssas began after the 1850s for tourists and French colonists/troops, when the old sword craft became obsolete. These have been simplified and combined throughout the 20th century. The newest ones have very thin, flat blades cut from a sheet with drawings scratched into them. The older ones are thicker, have distal taper with better incisions and brass overlay.
These were often sold in pairs as ceremonial Wedding presentation knives or for other ceremonial occasions. From what I can tell, the wedding nimchas had opposing ornate sides, such as yours with one side much more decorative. The wedding nimchas were often cut from steel sheets thus having no blade grind to the single non-sharp edge.Here are a couple of pairs of wedding nimchas-
http://www.antiquetribalarms.com/OI@@2015%23%23%23MICOS/01@%23%23%2... Also a ton of informative information on these
