My presentation and a new friend

Battara · 19th May 2017, 01:54 AM

Welcome to our little forum!

This is a nice piece. Not seen flyssa blade with a nimcha hilt of this quality before!

I would say it is from Morocco (or Algeria).

Looks like the scabbard tip is missing, but all in all I am impressed. Congratulations!

Robert · 19th May 2017, 02:17 AM

I do not believe the scabbard tip is missing, only that it cannot be seen very well. I have tried to modify one of the photo's to make it easier to see the tip, but this unfortunately is the best that I could do.

Jim McDougall · 19th May 2017, 05:10 AM

Clement, welcome to our forum, and you have given us a keen opportunity to see one of the nicest examples of the 'wedding nimcha' I have yet seen!
The term for these is most misleading, as these were actually 'ceremonial' or dress accoutrements, not simply for weddings or such events.

It is unusual to see one of these 'nimcha' style hilts with a flyssa blade, and I think you are right in that this one probably dates in the latter 19th c.
The quality of the mounts and blade are remarkable.

The flyssa itself is the sword of Kabylia in these regions in Algeria (said to have been named for the Iflyssen tribe Berbers who are believed to have been early makers of these). These long, needle pointed blade swords pretty much dropped off in production toward the later years of the 19th c. and these smaller dagger type examples perhaps became worn much as the koummya it seems as there was a great deal of diffusion in the Maghrebi coastal areas.

Stone (1935, p.234) describes the flyssa as the sword of the Kabyles of Morocco. It is believed that this attribution, when Kabylia is actually in Algeria, has to do with the connection with the Malakite Rite of Islam I Morocco. The five point star (Star of Solomon) which represents the Five Pillars of Islam is interestingly represented in the mounts of this dagger. That Star is since 1915 seen on the red flag of Morocco.

Therefore, a dagger of quality in Maghrebi nimcha mounts and Moroccan influenced Star of Solomon motif with Algerian Kabyle blade.

CNK1 · 19th May 2017, 11:10 AM

Good morning,

thank's for your comments, I appreciate your help !

Happy to see that's you like this nimcha, this was a pleasure to present this one.

I join more picts of the scabbard tip.

Kubur · 19th May 2017, 05:55 PM

This is a master piece really!
Its Ottoman and from ALGERIA.
I will give you all the details later.
It's a very very nice piece.
Best,
Kubur

Jim McDougall · 19th May 2017, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

This is a master piece really!
Its Ottoman and from ALGERIA.
I will give you all the details later.
It's a very very nice piece.
Best,
Kubur

Excellent Kubur!!!
In research and discussions some time ago, we determined that the flyssa itself was very much key as a 'rite of passage' for Kabyle young men, whose first order of business before marriage was to attain 'his sword'.

While the flyssa of course carried all the traditional elements significant in their tribal traditions, and while not literally ever subdued by the Ottomans, the arms of the Ottomans were highly prized above the local flyssa.
Perhaps these factors might be present in the case of this most impressive example, which seems unusual to see a flyssa blade in Ottoman dress.

CNK1 · 19th May 2017, 06:45 PM

@ Kubur, I wait impatiently for all you know about this piece !

Correct me if I'm wrong but the "ottoman period" of Algeria ends during 1830's , so this nimcha could date from this period or before ?

Best regards,

Clement

19th May 2017, 02:17 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I do not believe the scabbard tip is missing, only that it cannot be seen very well. I have tried to modify one of the photo's to make it easier to see the tip, but this unfortunately is the best that I could do. Attached Images

19th May 2017, 05:10 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,299	Clement, welcome to our forum, and you have given us a keen opportunity to see one of the nicest examples of the 'wedding nimcha' I have yet seen! The term for these is most misleading, as these were actually 'ceremonial' or dress accoutrements, not simply for weddings or such events. It is unusual to see one of these 'nimcha' style hilts with a flyssa blade, and I think you are right in that this one probably dates in the latter 19th c. The quality of the mounts and blade are remarkable. The flyssa itself is the sword of Kabylia in these regions in Algeria (said to have been named for the Iflyssen tribe Berbers who are believed to have been early makers of these). These long, needle pointed blade swords pretty much dropped off in production toward the later years of the 19th c. and these smaller dagger type examples perhaps became worn much as the koummya it seems as there was a great deal of diffusion in the Maghrebi coastal areas. Stone (1935, p.234) describes the flyssa as the sword of the Kabyles of Morocco. It is believed that this attribution, when Kabylia is actually in Algeria, has to do with the connection with the Malakite Rite of Islam I Morocco. The five point star (Star of Solomon) which represents the Five Pillars of Islam is interestingly represented in the mounts of this dagger. That Star is since 1915 seen on the red flag of Morocco. Therefore, a dagger of quality in Maghrebi nimcha mounts and Moroccan influenced Star of Solomon motif with Algerian Kabyle blade. Last edited by Jim McDougall; 19th May 2017 at 05:30 AM.

19th May 2017, 11:10 AM	#4
CNK1 Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 43	Good morning, thank's for your comments, I appreciate your help ! Happy to see that's you like this nimcha, this was a pleasure to present this one. I join more picts of the scabbard tip. Attached Images

19th May 2017, 01:54 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,282	Welcome to our little forum! This is a nice piece. Not seen flyssa blade with a nimcha hilt of this quality before! I would say it is from Morocco (or Algeria). Looks like the scabbard tip is missing, but all in all I am impressed. Congratulations!

19th May 2017, 05:55 PM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	This is a master piece really! Its Ottoman and from ALGERIA. I will give you all the details later. It's a very very nice piece. Best, Kubur

19th May 2017, 06:45 PM	#7
CNK1 Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 43	@ Kubur, I wait impatiently for all you know about this piece ! Correct me if I'm wrong but the "ottoman period" of Algeria ends during 1830's , so this nimcha could date from this period or before ? Best regards, Clement