Left Hand Dagger
ca. 1650 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Pierced and chiselled steel hilt. En suite with cup hilt rapier M.97-1921
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Pierced and chiselled steel |
Brief description | Main gauche with a pierced and chiselled steel hilt en suite with the cup hilt rapier M.97-1921, Spain, ca. 1650 |
Physical description | Pierced and chiselled steel hilt. En suite with cup hilt rapier M.97-1921 |
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. |
Associated object | M.97-1921 (Object) |
Bibliographic reference | Hayward, J.F. Swords and Daggers. London: HMSO, 1963 |
Other number | 23 - Hayward, Swords and Daggers |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.123-1921 |
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Record created | March 25, 2004 |
Record URL |
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