Left Hand Dagger
late 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Gilt iron, the blade with a bladesmith's mark 'B'
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gilt iron |
| Brief description | Main gauche of gilt iron, the blade marked 'B', Germany (possibly Saxony), late 16th century |
| Physical description | Gilt iron, the blade with a bladesmith's mark 'B' |
| Marks and inscriptions | bladesmith's mark 'B' (The blade) |
| Credit line | Purchased from the Funds of the Farquharson Bequest |
| 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. |
| Bibliographic reference | Hayward, J.F. Swords and Daggers. London: HMSO, 1963 |
| Other number | 13a - Hayward, Swords and Daggers |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.76-1957 |
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| Record created | March 23, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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