Bichaq
Arab
Bizerte, French Tunisia (Tunisia)
Late 19th century (ca. 1880)
Steel, horn, brass, coral, bone, leather
Blade: 24,4cm
Hilt & Blade: 36,5cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 38,7cm
Collection Date: 2016
Collection Number: 73

An ornate North African knife associated with the ancient port city of Bizerte, Tunisia. Centuries of trade within the realm of the Mediterranean has led to cross-cultural influences of arms such as this example between Europe and North Africa.

The hilt is reminiscent of Ottoman Balkan knives, especially Bosnian bichaqs, both in shape and decoration. The hilt is carved horn with a bulbous pommel. Decorated with braided brass wire, brass circle- dot inlay, and brass nails. Set red coral is adorned on each side and the bottom. Two circular areas of bone are present on the sides of the hilt and pommel. A silver ferrule and brass S-shaped crossguard attach the hilt to the blade.

The steel blade is single- edged, upcurving slightly to the point. It is not in the style or decoration of traditional Bizerte knives engraved in Maghreb motifs like others. The blade is decently thick with a nice sharpened edge and rounded spine. It may be European, perhaps a French cutlery blade. It has been polished to a high degree previously with a bright shine. The sheath is a black leather that was painted a bright yellow previously, now dried and flaking off. I am unsure if the sheath is original to the knife as it does not conform to the traditonal style.

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 probably dated to the late 19th century and was likely an early bazaar article for French tourists, though a very well- made one. Similar pieces in this style are dated between 1860 and 1880.

[1] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=5845

[2] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=7330

[3] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13429&highlight=translation

[4] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20240&highlight=bizerte