Not currently on display at the V&A

Ornamental Dagger Set

1820 - 1880 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Korean women carried ornamental knife sets as a reference to chastity, one of the eight virtues defined by the Chinese philosopher Confucius. The other virtues were loyalty, filial piety, trust, righteousness, integrity, humility and brotherly love. Heroic women in Korean history and legend defended their chastity to the death.


Object details

Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Scabbard
  • Knife (Culinary Tool)
  • Chopstick
  • Chopstick
Materials and techniques
Tortoiseshell and silver, with a silk strap
Brief description
Ornamental knife and chopstick set; Korea, 1820-80, Late Choson dynasty
Physical description
Ornamental dagger, unjangdo, with chased iron blade, silver mounts and chopsticks, blue silk hanging straps, silver button and loop. The set consists of knife, two chopsticks, sheath and silk hanging strap

Colour: Multicoloured
Dimensions
  • Length: 18.3cm
Style
Summary
Korean women carried ornamental knife sets as a reference to chastity, one of the eight virtues defined by the Chinese philosopher Confucius. The other virtues were loyalty, filial piety, trust, righteousness, integrity, humility and brotherly love. Heroic women in Korean history and legend defended their chastity to the death.
Collection
Accession number
M.17-1928

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Record createdApril 6, 2000
Record URL
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