Lot 294: AN OTTOMAN BOSNIAN STEEL KNIFE BICHAQ DATED 1215 AH BY OMAR

An Ottoman Bosnian utility knife, known as a bichaq, featuring a single edged steel blade that tapers from a straight spine to a sharp point. One side of the blade is decorated with a rectangular cartouche inlaid with a white metal, possibly silver. The cylindrical hilt is fashioned from a dark wood, heavily inlaid with fine silver wire in scrolling foliate and rosette patterns. A white metal ferrule with bands of braided wire work connects the hilt to the blade. The knife is accompanied by a carved wooden scabbard core decorated with linear and chevron patterns and a metal band at the throat.

L: 21.5cm