COMPOSITE DAGGER - 19th century European work

COMPOSITE DAGGER

19th century European work

Ivory, steel, gilt bronze and wood

Long. total: 63; Long. rocket: 13 cm

This particular dagger draws attention with its composite nature. Indeed, the rocket, the hilt and the blade all seem to come from different elements. Yet the balance found and the choice of elements brings harmony.

The blade comes from a hunting dagger. It is made of double-edged steel, enhanced with gold and marked on the heel on both sides. On one side the mention: "De La Manufacture De La marque à LExtra fin à Sohlingen EXT FIN", on the other, in capital letters: "De Vaux furbisseur de l'école royale militaire place de trois Maris au Dieu Mars à Paris ". It is punctuated with hunting attributes such as a deer and a banner bearing the words “Long live the hunt”.

The rocket is in finely carved ivory with a feline head flanked by two cherubs sounding trumpets, on the back of which is carved an oval medallion depicting a portrait of a man crowned with laurel – probably an emperor. The lower part of the rocket is occupied by an animated scene of bacchanalia. In the center, Bacchus seated on his barrel of wine, a cup in hand.

The hilt is rectangular in section, made up of a wooden slat and gilt bronze friezes cut and openworked on the two sides of a leafy mask, also called green man, and leafy scrolls. The side panels are decorated with openwork oval friezes.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref.LP2781