My presentation and a new friend

[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

[Jim McDougall]

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]

@ 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

[Kubur]

Hi Clement, Hi Jim,

Now i can answer to you.
Look at the book of Andersen Gold and coral.
Look also at the Ottoman powder flask from Algiers that I posted before.
The quality of the work is typical from the 19th c. and the Ottomans.
The quality is amazing for the hilt and the scabbard.
The blade is normal for this so-called weeding nimcha.
By the way they are the real nimcha the short swords (see Elgood).
The other nimcha from Morocco are saifs of course.
As Jim said these swords are attributed to the Kabyles in Algeria.
The quality of the work pushes me to think that your nimcha, Clement, was done in Algiers.

Best,
Kubur

[CNK1]

Hello Kubur,

thank's for your help on this nimcha, a really interesting piece of history !

Do you think this one was made for someone special ? This is the only one of this "type" I've ever seen so I'm really curious to understand in which circumstance it was made.

Best regards,
Clement

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you Kubur for noting the Ottoman styling in this motif, and Clement, you have managed to collect a most handsome example of this type of Maghrebi weapon, in the manner of the 'wedding' type ceremonial pieces.

It is important to remember that traditional style and influences of other cultures and periods are not ceased at the demise of rule or change of power . Style and decoration are simply local preferences which may reflect many influences.
Even the Kabyle style blade may have been a gift or otherwise obtained from those people or regions, and mounted in appropriate dress to location, in this case appearing to be Algiers or that area.

[CNK1]

Hello Kubur, hello Jim

thank's again for your help ! Unfortunately I haven't the "Gold and coral" book but it's look like to be a very nice/ documented book !

Really happy to know where this nimcha come from, any idea of the personality whose carried this one?

Jim I totally understand what you mean, I took the reasoning in the wrong way,
it is not because it is of the Ottoman style that it is of the Ottoman period.

Best regards,
Clement

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by CNK1

Hello Kubur, hello Jim

thank's again for your help ! Unfortunately I haven't the "Gold and coral" book but it's look like to be a very nice/ documented book !

Really happy to know where this nimcha come from, any idea of the personality whose carried this one?

Jim I totally understand what you mean, I took the reasoning in the wrong way,
it is not because it is of the Ottoman style that it is of the Ottoman period.

Best regards,
Clement

Dear Clement,

Jim is (always) right.
For example, Algerian moukhala were produced until 1920.
And they were nearly the same than those produced during the Ottoman period.
Nevertheless I think yours is an old one 1800-1850 (due to the quality).
For the "personnality"

Probably someone with a big mustache