Tunisian Short Sword
Arab
Bizerte, French Tunisia (Tunisia)
Late 19th century (ca. 1880 - 1900)
Steel, horn, brass, coral, wood
Blade: 37,1cm
Hilt & Blade: 51,4cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 55,6cm
Collection Date: 2019
Collection Number: 60

Ex. French Art Market (2019)

An ornate North African short sword 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. This short sword takes influence in the form of the Ottoman Greek qama and Albacete blades with local North African decoration applied.

The straight steel blade is double- edged with a central fuller spanning approximately 1/2 length of the blade. Within is a pierced section in the form of a cross and circle. The blade is heavily decorated with engraved swirling floral scrollwork, linear, and geometric motifs. The last 1/2 of the blade has a medial ridge that continues to the point.

Floral engraved brass ricasso and guard. Two section bovine horn hilt inlaid with brass circle- dot inserts and adorned with red coral. Brass pommel plate with a domed cap. The sheath of a wooden interior completely covered in brass sheet extensively decorated in linear and floral design in a traditional Maghreb manner. Brass baldric suspension rings attached to 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 probably dated to the late 19th century and was likely an early bazaar article for French tourists, though a very well-made one.

[1] https://oriental-arms.com/product/tunisian-19-c-straight-dagger/

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