Tunisian Bichaq
Tunisian Bichaq
Arab
Bizerte, French Tunisia (Tunisia)
Late 19th - Early 20th century
Steel, horn, brass, iron, coral, wood
Blade: 24,8cm
Hilt & Blade: 36,8cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 38,1cm
Collection Date: 2025
Collection Number: 486
Ex. French Art Market (2025)
An ornate North African bichaq associated with the ancient port city of Bizerte, Tunisia. The styling and decoration is Tunisian with clear Algerian influence. The single-edged steel blade is upcurving into a sharp point. The base is engraved with a panel of scrolls and inlaid brass crescent moons on each side. A medial ridge spans the remainder of the blade to the point. The spine is decorated in swirling lineations. Rounded iron bolster and brass ferrule.
The hilt of horn inlaid with a series of brass strips, braided wire, circle- dot inlays, and adorned with red coral. Brass pommel plate. The sheath of a wooden interior completely covered in brass sheet extensively chased in linear and geometric design in a traditional Maghreb manner. A brass baldric suspension ring is attached to the top of the sheath.
Bizerte was the last held city of French Tunisia due to its strategic port location and gained independence from France in 1963. This knife is dated to the late 19th to early 20th century and was likely an early bazaar article for French tourists, though a very well-made one. This example is quite rare in form and exhibits Kabyle influence on the blade reminiscent to its flyssa counterpart.
[1] https://oriental-arms.com/product/tunisian-19-c-straight-dagger/
[2] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=5845
[3] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=7330
[4] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20240&highlight=bizerte
[5] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13429&highlight=translation