Yataghan/Flyssa

Emanuel · 12th April 2008, 08:48 PM

Hi again, Jim!

I'm very curious about that last yataghan. Oriental-Arms listed it as eastern European. The construction is so odd though. The two big nobs are reminiscent of Caucasian/Persian kindjals and qamas. I have not yet seen this scrolls/foliage motif on Balkan crafts, does anyone know if it is indeed common, or how often it occurs?
Same for Anatolian work. Do scrolls in brass occur in other art forms?
Do they occur on Caucasian art?
Specifically Circassian? (Reference to this thread: Flyssa in St-Petersburg Museum where Ariel showed Circassian and Tatar sabres as a possible inspiration for the flyssa)
If not, can we say this is an indigeneous kabyle motif?

Emanuel · 12th April 2008, 09:04 PM

Here is a site on Circassian arts. In their crafts and traditional motifs sections there are some pictures that with a stretch could be quite similar to our flyssa decoration: http://www.adygaunion.com/gallery/index.php?cat=4

Here is some of their foliage work

CharlesS · 12th April 2008, 09:55 PM

If only the Hermann's example had a scabbard, it would speak volumes, and, I think, answer many questions...but alas...no scabbard.

As is, I see it as only an Ottoman influence on a traditional flyssa.

Battara · 14th April 2008, 11:28 PM

I agree with the "Chuckmeister". Besides, Tirri was wrong about a number of things in the book, so I would take his "observations" with a grain of salt.

12th April 2008, 09:04 PM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Circassian motif? Here is a site on Circassian arts. In their crafts and traditional motifs sections there are some pictures that with a stretch could be quite similar to our flyssa decoration: http://www.adygaunion.com/gallery/index.php?cat=4 Here is some of their foliage work Attached Images

12th April 2008, 08:48 PM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hi again, Jim! I'm very curious about that last yataghan. Oriental-Arms listed it as eastern European. The construction is so odd though. The two big nobs are reminiscent of Caucasian/Persian kindjals and qamas. I have not yet seen this scrolls/foliage motif on Balkan crafts, does anyone know if it is indeed common, or how often it occurs? Same for Anatolian work. Do scrolls in brass occur in other art forms? Do they occur on Caucasian art? Specifically Circassian? (Reference to this thread: Flyssa in St-Petersburg Museum where Ariel showed Circassian and Tatar sabres as a possible inspiration for the flyssa) If not, can we say this is an indigeneous kabyle motif?

12th April 2008, 09:55 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	If only the Hermann's example had a scabbard, it would speak volumes, and, I think, answer many questions...but alas...no scabbard. As is, I see it as only an Ottoman influence on a traditional flyssa.

14th April 2008, 11:28 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I agree with the "Chuckmeister". Besides, Tirri was wrong about a number of things in the book, so I would take his "observations" with a grain of salt.