In Ancient Egypt, daggers were often made of bronze and later of iron, featuring elaborately decorated handles. These weapons served not only practical purposes in battles and hunts but also held significant symbolic value. Daggers were frequently buried with their owners in tombs, indicating their status and importance. Some ceremonial daggers were made of precious metals and inlaid with semi-precious stones, reflecting the wealth and prestige of the owner.

A famous example of an Ancient Egyptian ceremonial dagger is the dagger of Tutankhamun, found in his tomb. Made of meteoritic iron, this dagger is notable both for its quality and beauty and for the mystery of its origin, given that iron was a rare and precious material at the time.