Flyssa (Flissa) Knife
Iflissen Lebhar Tribal Confederacy
Likely Algiers, French Algeria (Algiers, Algeria)
Third quarter of the 19th century (ca. 1860 - 1880)
Steel, brass, wood, metal alloy, glass, leather
Blade: 27,9cm
Hilt & Blade: 38,7cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 43,2cm
Collection Date: 2025
Collection Number: 506

Ex. French Art Market (2025)

The flissa is the traditional weapon of the Iflissen Kabyles, an ethnic Berber group originating from the Atlas Mountain Range in Northern Algeria. Their weapons range from small knives to very long swords, most of which are very consistent in design using brass inlays and geometric motifs.

This fine example has the style hilt heavily influenced by Ottoman Balkan bichaq knives, presumed to be made in Algiers by a Kabyle craftsman. The decorations suggest this type as a ceremonial flyssa, used for ceremonial and rites of passage purposes.

The upcurved single- edged steel blade is decorated in traditional Kabyle brass inlays of engraved scroll motifs and having a celestrial star on each side.

The wooden hilt is entirely covered in a metal alloy sheet (tin brass?) that is extensively decorated in filigree of geometric designs, adorned with a series of blue and red glass stones within the filigree. Brass S- shaped guard in European fashion. The rounded pommel is reminiscent of Ottoman Balkan arms such as the bichaq knife.

The sheath has a wooden interior, which is covered in old red leather. Three metal alloy (tin brass?) mounts are fixed to the sheath in the same fashion as the hilt, displaying decorative filigree and blue, red, and white glass stones set within.

The upcurved blade is a lesser common variant. Similar examples are dated from circa 1865 and 1867. This example is very unique, in which I have not been able to find another with this style of sheath and mounts. A fine and old ceremonial flyssa of Ottoman styled influence.

[1] Spring, Christopher. 1993. “African Arms and Armor”. Pages 21 -24

[2] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/24982

[3] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af-3817-a

[4] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=6583

[5] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3646

[6] https://africanarms.com/gallery.html?6-flyssa-sabre-86-5-cm