Ontman Silver Bichaq Dagger

The "bichaq" is a side knife typical of Ottoman, Balkan, and Southern European regions. Carried by military personnel and high-ranking officials, it was often adorned with silver, coral, and other precious materials, indicating rank or social status.

Our example:

A beautiful silver-plated example, richly embossed and decorated with rocaille motifs and foliage. Typical of Crete and Ionia (Western Anatolia), its exact origin is difficult to date precisely due to the large number of artisans who moved around and were influenced by successive wars, conflicts, and regimes.

The blade, in impeccable condition, is yataghan-shaped and features a thin, three-line Turkish band, as well as a central core twisted with multiple folds, attesting to the excellence of Ottoman blacksmithing.

Knives and swords of this type are generally dated to the early 19th century.