Left Hand Dagger
ca. 1640 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Hilt of pierced and chiselled steel
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | pierced and chiselled steel |
| Brief description | Main gauche with a pierced and chiselled steel hilt, Brescia, ca. 1640 |
| Physical description | Hilt of pierced and chiselled steel |
| Historical context | A system of fencing which used a dagger defensively held in the left hand was introduced in the first half of the 16th century. It remained popular in Spain and Italy throughout the 17th century. The blade of a 'main gauche' or 'left hand' dagger was usually straight and double edged, frequently with prongs or serrations designed to catch an opponent's blade. The counterguard of Spanish daggers was often triangular and the guard was usually decorated en suite with the rapier. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.67-1947 |
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| Record created | April 2, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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