PICHAQ KNIFE
Full Description:
This graceful knife originates from the city of Bukhara in Uzbekistan.
The hilt is secured with well-fitted mother-of-pearl grip scales, the heads of gilt-brass rivets dotted across the iridescent surface. Its grip straps are decorated with silver niello work, the blackened ground and inlaid highlights in this case used to depict a motif of scrolling leaves and flowerheads. The bolster is decorated en suite with the grip straps, preceded by a short silver-bordered band inlaid with turquoises.
The single-edged blade is cut with two slender fullers just below the spine, the surface of the steel exhibiting a pattern-folded construction. The blade is complete with its scabbard which is adorned with a mosaic of small scale-shaped turquoises framed by fine silver borders, the back-edge of the scabbard being flat to accommodate the thick section of the blade and decorated with a mirrored series of further rhomboid turquoises. The reverse of the scabbard is fitted with metal brackets for retaining a suspension cord, some of which is extant.
A similar example – although the central part of the scabbard is covered in fabric – is published in Robert Hales’ volume on Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour.[1]
[1] Robert Hales, Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime’s Passion, Robert Hales C.I. Ltd, 2013, No. 206, p. 90.