Small sickle. Bukhara, 19th century

mahratt · 12th February 2023, 06:40 PM

Small sickle (function unknown). Bukhara, 19th century
Short, curved, single-edged blade made of wootz steel, the back straight and then poly-lobed and inlaid with gold. Guard nielloed with a floral decoration continued on the silk of the handle flanked by two riveted walrus bone plates. Under the guard, metallic ring inlaid with blue glass paste. Length : 17,7 cm
Hello guys. Perhaps someone knows what this sickle could be used for?

fernando · 12th February 2023, 08:20 PM

I don't know what it is for ... but i know it is very, very nice

.

mahratt · 12th February 2023, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

I don't know what it is for ... but i know it is very, very nice

.

Agree, very nice

Ian · 13th February 2023, 03:56 AM

Nice little knife and probably meant for a specific use. In SE Asia, nicely decorated knives of this size were often used for chopping betel nuts. Did folks in Buchara chew betel? Probably not, I'm guessing.

mahratt · 13th February 2023, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Nice little knife and probably meant for a specific use. In SE Asia, nicely decorated knives of this size were often used for chopping betel nuts. Did folks in Buchara chew betel? Probably not, I'm guessing.

Hello, Ian.

As far as I know, betel was not chewed in Bukhara...

Ian · 13th February 2023, 07:37 AM

Thanks Mahratt. I would have been surprised if they did.

It was used to cut something small and of consistent size judging from the semi-circular stain in the mid-section of the blade's edge.

12th February 2023, 06:40 PM	#1
mahratt Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 1,042	Small sickle. Bukhara, 19th century Small sickle (function unknown). Bukhara, 19th century Short, curved, single-edged blade made of wootz steel, the back straight and then poly-lobed and inlaid with gold. Guard nielloed with a floral decoration continued on the silk of the handle flanked by two riveted walrus bone plates. Under the guard, metallic ring inlaid with blue glass paste. Length : 17,7 cm Hello guys. Perhaps someone knows what this sickle could be used for? Attached Images

12th February 2023, 08:20 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	I don't know what it is for ... but i know it is very, very nice .

13th February 2023, 03:56 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,522	Nice little knife and probably meant for a specific use. In SE Asia, nicely decorated knives of this size were often used for chopping betel nuts. Did folks in Buchara chew betel? Probably not, I'm guessing.

13th February 2023, 07:37 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,522	Thanks Mahratt. I would have been surprised if they did. It was used to cut something small and of consistent size judging from the semi-circular stain in the mid-section of the blade's edge.