Western Europe, Italy, ca. mid-19th century CE. A forged-iron dagger with a tang mounted inside of a wood and brass handle. The double-edged blade features two shallow fullers, a pointed tip, an etched stag with a back-facing head on one shoulder, and an etched avian creature on the opposite shoulder. The wooden handle exhibits several rows of textured grooves as well as several 'spiraled' brass strips to increase the user's grip. The zoomorphic motifs on the blade shoulders suggest this dagger was perhaps used during hunting expeditions. Size: 1.375" W x 12.625" H (3.5 cm x 32.1 cm); (blade): 8.375" L (21.3 cm)

Provenance: ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000

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#157954

Loss to blade tip as shown, with minor nicks to handle grooves, softening to some etched motifs on blade, and light encrustations within some recessed areas. Nice preservation of most zoomorphic details and great patina throughout.