Description:

Western Europe, France or Italy, ca. 17th century CE. A wonderful forged-iron parrying dagger with a slender wooden handle, a bulb-form iron pommel, and a broad quillon with trapezoidal terminals and a ring loop on top. The elongated triangular blade has a shallow midrib, sharpened edges, and a narrow, pointed tip perfect for thrusting and stabbing. Swordsmen would carry their normal sword in one hand - typically their right - and a dagger like this example in their left. When an opponent swung his sword, the wide quillon would be able to catch their blade and render it ineffective for long enough to counter with a thrusting blow. Size: 5.375" W x 18" H (13.7 cm x 45.7 cm); length of blade: 12.4" L (31.5 cm).

For a strikingly similar example from Italy, please see: Tarassuk, Leonid. "Some Notes on Parrying Daggers and Poniards." Metropolitan Museum Journal, Vol. 12, 1977, p. 38, fig. 10.

Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#148536

  • Condition: Minor nicks and insect damage to wooden handle, with slight bending to overall form of blade and quillon, and light pitting to blade. Great patina throughout.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

November 12, 2020 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000