A GREEK BICHAGI DAGGER

Of characteristic Cretan form, mounted entirely in silver. The flared, eared pommel tapering continuously to the bolsters, the grip and scabbard superbly embossed and engraved overall with stands of arms and a rare depiction from Greek mythology of the Trojan princess Hesione chained to a rock to be devoured by a sea monster, and later rescued by Hercules, here represented by a lion. The suspension chain with Ottoman silver coin. The straight, single-edged handwrought blade with characteristic T-back and upturned tip. First half of the 19th century. Pommel repaired. Overall length 39.6cm./ 15 ½ inches. Condition III