Left Hand Dagger thumbnail 1
Left Hand Dagger thumbnail 2
Not on display

Left Hand Dagger

ca. 1650 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

decorated with a pierced and chiselled iron hilt en suite to a cup hilted rapier M.56-1947

Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Dagger
  • Main Gauche
  • Left Hand Dagger
  • Dagger Blade
Materials and techniques
pierced and chiselled iron
Brief description
Main gauche en suite with the cup hilted rapier M.56-1947, Italy (Naples), ca. 1650. The blade of this dagger is a later replacement more in keeping with the style of hilt than the blade that was fitted to this dagger when it arrived at the msueum. The removed blade is stored separately and is M.124:2-1921.
Physical description
decorated with a pierced and chiselled iron hilt en suite to a cup hilted rapier M.56-1947
Dimensions
  • Blade length: 47.7cm
  • Hilt length: 13cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by D. M. Currie
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.

Some of the finest chiselled iron cup hilts in the Spanish fashion were produced by Italian craftsmen from the Kingdom of Naples, under Spanish rule in the mid 17th century. In their designs the Italian chisellers drew upon the common stock of engraved ornament of their time, but, interpreting their sources in a particularly individual manner, they created something that was quite fresh and original.

Source:J F Hayward, Swords and Daggers, London, HMSO, 1963, p.7
Associated object
M.56-1947 (Object)
Bibliographic reference
Hayward, J.F. Swords and Daggers. London: HMSO, 1963
Other numbers
  • 22 - Hayward, Swords and Daggers
  • 23 - North, European Swords
Collection
Accession number
M.124:1, 2-1921

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Record createdMarch 25, 2004
Record URL
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