Tunisian Bichaq
Arab / Berber
Tunis, French Tunisia (Tunisia)
Early 20th century (ca. 1900 - 1925)
Steel, horn, bone, brass, iron
Blade: 27,3cm
Hilt & Blade: 37,5cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 38,7cm
Collection Date: 2025
Collection Number: 492

Ex. American Art Market (2025)

A Tunisian bichaq or knife from Tunis, Tunisia, during the early 20th century period. The single-edged steel blade upcurves into a sharp point. Twin fullers span near the spine to about 3/4 length of the blade. On the front side, untranslated Arabic script is engraved. The reverse, engraved with a crescent moon and star within.

The upper and lower hilt of horn segments curled inward as a hand gurad, with the central grip having a bone section riveted in place by two iron nails.

The sheath of a wooden interior completely covered in brass sheet extensively chased in linear and geometric design in a traditional Maghreb decoration of floral and linear markings on the front side. Attached are two iron suspension rings.

A very good example of a Tunisian bichaq. This piece complete with its sheath and is in great condition. This kind of knife is often attributed by collectors as early tourist items to French and European tourists visiting Tunis during the early 20th century time period.

Photograph 19: A postcard of a man wearing a Tunisian bichaq, likely of a Frenchman. Tunis, Tunisa March 5, 1912. Photographed by Amedee Charayron of Montelimar. National Archives of Tunisia.

Photograph 20: A photograph of a man wearing a Tunisian bichaq, likely of a Frenchman. Tunisia. Photographed by F. Valenza.

Photograph 21: A photograph of Adolf Libits of Austria. Tunisia, 1900.

[1] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16680&highlight=tunisia+knife