Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

  • Greek Bichaq

Greek Bichaq
Northern Greece
19th century (ca. 1825 - 1890)
Steel, silver, horn, iron, nacre, coral, brass, wood, leather
Blade: 17,5cm
Hilt & Blade: 28,3cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 29,2cm
Collection Date: 2016
Collection Number: 80

Ex. Hungarian Art Market (2016)

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 in the center bordered by two shallow outside fullers. The mid-section of the spine is engraved with linear and notched incisions. Nickel silver bolster and backstrap.

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 red coral with brass wire and metallic nails. The sheath is of a wooden interior, covered by leather with metal alloy mouth and an iron chape. The knife exhibits Ottoman influence consistent with Balkan form. An uncommon knife, complete in great condition.

[1] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-greek-bichagi-dagger-196-c-f774d83a9c?objectID=165984146&algIndex=undefined&queryID=6cb87bb851963527533572c23e23327b

[2] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-greek-bichak-dagger-312-c-ced4382b79?objectID=161438901&algIndex=undefined&queryID=6cb87bb851963527533572c23e23327b

[3] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-fine-greek-bichak-dagger-251-c-70846b19d3?objectID=150721676&algIndex=undefined&queryID=6cb87bb851963527533572c23e23327b

[4] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/an-eastern-horn-handled-dagger-inset-with-jewell--8984cf4b4e