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Language: Turkish

Description

Bichaq literally means "knife". In antique arms circles the term usually refers to a knife shaped somewhat like a yatağan, the sword with recurved blade that was carried by military men (infrantry) and wealthy civilians in the Ottoman empire.

Bichaq often come in a silver scabbard, usually with repousse work. Like the bigger yatağan, the bichaq also has a grip which is "eared". The grip is either made entirely of silver, of has scales of bone, ivory, horn, wood or precious stone. Many bear a date.

Bichaq

A nice example of an Ottoman bichaq with silver niello mounts and golden inscriptions to the blade.
It bears inscription dating it to Hijri 1290, (1873/74 A.D.) and the maker's name Mustafa.

 

Ottoman bichaq

An Ottoman Balkan bichaq with silver scabbard and bone grip scales.
This piece bears a date 1227, corresponding to 1811-12 A.D.

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With a rare single-edged blade with tight fullering.

€1900,-

Fine German hunting flintlock with captured Ottoman barrel.

€16000,-

Typical Chinese hook sword, with seldom-seen fine silver wire overlay.

Price on request

The style typical of Kutch, the execution far above what is normally seen on work from that area.

Price on request

Persian steel shield with fine Qajar style painted dome.

€5000,-

Nice and complete with opaque green hilt and scabbard mounts.

Price on request