Greek Bichaq
Greek Bichaq
Northern Greece
19th century (ca. 1825 - 1890)
Steel, silver, horn, iron, nacre, plastic, brass, wood, leather
Blade: 17,5cm
Hilt & Blade: 28,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 29,2cm
Collection Date: 2019
Collection Number: 44
Ex. Hannam's Auctioneers: Selborne, UK (2019)
A Balkan bichaq of Northern Greek work from around the Greek War of Independence or thereafter. The steel blade is single- edged, curving up slightly toward the acute point. A grooved panel containing three deep fullers is present near the top. Nickel silver bolster and backstrap engraved with swirling linear design.
The hilt is carved from horn scale grips that are riveted in place by three iron nails. Decorated with a patterned series of circular inlaid nacre and blue inlays with brass wire and metallic nails. The blue inlays were likely replaced at some time with plastic ones that replicate turquoise stones.
The sheath is of a wooden interior, covered by leather with a metal alloy mouth and an iron chape. The knife exhibits Ottoman influence consistent with Balkan form. An uncommon knife, complete in great condition with attractive decoration.