Elegant Bichaq with inscription for translation

Gonzoadler · 19th January 2021, 09:12 PM

Hello,

I also got this beautiful Bichaq. Because of the fuller work I think it was made around 1900 in the region of Trabzon, maybe in Surmene.
The handle is made of black horn with mother-of-pearl inlays. The metal mountings are of nickel silver and the scabbard is covered with goat leather.

There is an inscription on the back of the hilt, it would be great if someone can translate it

Total length: 31.5cm
Without scabbard: 31.4cm (really

)
Blade: 20.5cm

Best
Robin

Gonzoadler · 21st January 2021, 07:41 PM

Bump.

Sajen · 21st January 2021, 07:47 PM

I don't know why nobody respond to your thread!

I think that you are correct, I also think that it is a Black Sea bichaq, a beautiful example, congrats.

Can't help with the inscription, sorry.

Regards,
Detlef

G. Mansfield · 21st January 2021, 09:33 PM

Hi Robin, I cannot help with the translation but I believe you are correct with the description. Attached are two in my collection very similar.

-Geoff

Gonzoadler · 22nd January 2021, 07:17 AM

Hello Geoff,
quite good pieces and really similar to mine.
I think these daggers are not very common,
thanks for showing.

Richard G · 22nd January 2021, 01:14 PM

It's a makers signature which I can't fully read (Surprise! Surprise!).
Amal (work of) Sai??
Regards
Richard

Gonzoadler · 23rd January 2021, 10:59 AM

Thank you for translation. Was Amal the owner or is it a city?
Regards

Richard G · 23rd January 2021, 11:59 AM

'Amal' means 'the work of', or more loosely, 'made by'.
Regards
Richard

Gonzoadler · 23rd January 2021, 12:39 PM

Ah, I misunderstood your answer. Thank you.
Regards
Robin

kwiatek · 25th January 2021, 12:10 PM

It is

عمل حسين

'amal husayn

'Work of Husayn'

Gonzoadler · 25th January 2021, 08:37 PM

Ah, Husayn and not Sai.
Thank you very much, Kwiatek!
Regards
Robin

kwiatek · 26th January 2021, 01:28 PM

You are welcome, thanks for sharing your knife with us.

Actually, since it is Turkish you should probably transliterate it as

amel-i hüseyin

“Work of Hüseyin”

19th January 2021, 09:12 PM	#1
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 254	Elegant Bichaq with inscription for translation Hello, I also got this beautiful Bichaq. Because of the fuller work I think it was made around 1900 in the region of Trabzon, maybe in Surmene. The handle is made of black horn with mother-of-pearl inlays. The metal mountings are of nickel silver and the scabbard is covered with goat leather. There is an inscription on the back of the hilt, it would be great if someone can translate it Total length: 31.5cm Without scabbard: 31.4cm (really ) Blade: 20.5cm Best Robin Attached Images

21st January 2021, 09:33 PM	#4
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 91	Hi Robin, I cannot help with the translation but I believe you are correct with the description. Attached are two in my collection very similar. -Geoff Attached Images

21st January 2021, 07:41 PM	#2
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 254	Bump.

21st January 2021, 07:47 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,126	I don't know why nobody respond to your thread! I think that you are correct, I also think that it is a Black Sea bichaq, a beautiful example, congrats. Can't help with the inscription, sorry. Regards, Detlef

22nd January 2021, 07:17 AM	#5
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 254	Hello Geoff, quite good pieces and really similar to mine. I think these daggers are not very common, thanks for showing.

22nd January 2021, 01:14 PM	#6
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 409	It's a makers signature which I can't fully read (Surprise! Surprise!). Amal (work of) Sai?? Regards Richard

23rd January 2021, 10:59 AM	#7
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 254	Thank you for translation. Was Amal the owner or is it a city? Regards

23rd January 2021, 11:59 AM	#8
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 409	'Amal' means 'the work of', or more loosely, 'made by'. Regards Richard

23rd January 2021, 12:39 PM	#9
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 254	Ah, I misunderstood your answer. Thank you. Regards Robin

25th January 2021, 12:10 PM	#10
kwiatek Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 153	It is عمل حسين 'amal husayn 'Work of Husayn'

25th January 2021, 08:37 PM	#11
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 254	Ah, Husayn and not Sai. Thank you very much, Kwiatek! Regards Robin

26th January 2021, 01:28 PM	#12
kwiatek Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 153	You are welcome, thanks for sharing your knife with us. Actually, since it is Turkish you should probably transliterate it as amel-i hüseyin “Work of Hüseyin”