Clasp Knife
1750-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This knife formed part of the traditional jewellery of a Greek or Albanian woman.
Knives like this were a compulsory part of the dowry among the nomadic Sarakatsani herders, who wore them hanging from their belt on a long silver chain. This one is decorated with niello, called savati in Greek, which was used on many other kinds of Sarakatsani traditional jewellery as well.
It was acquired in Albania by Walter Child, a member of the famous family of London jewellers.
Knives like this were a compulsory part of the dowry among the nomadic Sarakatsani herders, who wore them hanging from their belt on a long silver chain. This one is decorated with niello, called savati in Greek, which was used on many other kinds of Sarakatsani traditional jewellery as well.
It was acquired in Albania by Walter Child, a member of the famous family of London jewellers.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Steel and nielloed silver |
| Brief description | Clasp knife with a nielloed silver handle, Albania, 1750-1850. |
| Physical description | Crescent-shaped folding knife with a steel blade and silver mount. The mount is decorated with niello, and ends in a mythical animal's head. The blade has engraved lines on both sides. There is a loop for attachment on the hinge which holds the blade in the mount. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Walter Child |
| Summary | This knife formed part of the traditional jewellery of a Greek or Albanian woman. Knives like this were a compulsory part of the dowry among the nomadic Sarakatsani herders, who wore them hanging from their belt on a long silver chain. This one is decorated with niello, called savati in Greek, which was used on many other kinds of Sarakatsani traditional jewellery as well. It was acquired in Albania by Walter Child, a member of the famous family of London jewellers. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.130-1909 |
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| Record created | September 21, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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