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A pair of knives and case: M.53A-C-1930

Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Cutler: Unidentified
Handle maker: Unknown
Case maker: Unknown

Entities

Categories

Description

Amber, ivory, silver and steel in a raised work embroidery case; each knife with slender handle and silver or steel blade

Amber, ivory, silver and steel in a raised work embroidery case; each knife (A & B) has a handle of eight amber bands and narrow silver spaces and two ivory bands inlaid with silver piqué dots; hexagonal in section, broadening slightly towards the silver openwork terminal cap and ball-shaped finial. The long steel bolster is inlaid with rows of small silver flowerheads and dots. The steel blade has parallel sides tapering to a rounded point. The cloth case (C) is covered in raised embroidery in coloured silk and metal thread and small sequins. It is lobed oval in section and tapers to a point. On one side is an oval tassel with three pendant knots.

Notes

History note: Frank Smart Collection

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1930) by Duncanson, T. J. G.

Dating

17th Century, Early#
Production date: circa AD 1620

Components of the work

Surface composed of embroidery
Handle composed of amber (fossil resin) ivory
Case composed of cloth
Decoration composed of silver
Blade composed of steel
Knife A Length 18.8 cm
Sheath Length 19.5 cm
Knife B Length 20 cm

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: M.53A-C-1930
Primary reference Number: 167269
Old object number: M.2-1930
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Thursday 4 October 2012 Last processed: Thursday 7 December 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "A pair of knives and case" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/167269 Accessed: 2024-11-02 20:17:40

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/167269 |title=A pair of knives and case |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-02 20:17:40|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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