Dance of Death Dagger SOLD BUT LIMITED NO AVAILABLE TO ORDER

£7,500.00

A faithful reproduction of the Dance of Death Dagger originally designed by Hans Holbein in the mid 16th Century which includes an eating knife and pricker. Tod's version is copied from an example of one which has been held in the Wallace Collection in London since the 1870s and which may, or may not be an original. Impossible to say for sure but, almost certainly, the main dagger blade is a replica as it appears fairly crude and there is no maker's mark. The leatherwork offers no clues as to its age.

Who would have been involved in the manufacture of a piece like this in the 16th Century? Obviously, Hans Holbein was the artist then there would have been a bladesmith making the blade(s), jewellers doing the engraving work, gilders, cordwainers on the leatherwork, possibly someone working doing the woodwork, then lastly a cutler to put it all together.

It was likely to have been made for someone of high nobility but probably not Royalty and would have been worn horizontally. This we know as it has two staples on the back for the belt.

So, what does the image on the scabbard portray? It is a classic 'Danse Macabre' scene, with all walks of life being encouraged to dance toward the grave. Depicted in this gilded bronze version are a King and Queen, a drummer, a football, a hunting dog, some grand looking Landsknechts and, of course, a large number of skeletons.

4 years in the making so far, this is one of the most complicated, but beautiful things I have had the pleasure to make.

Specifications

Metalwork - gilded bronze

Woodwork - Ebony

Blades - EN45 carbon steel

DAGGER

Blade length 26.5cm/10.5 inches

Overall length 40cm/15.75 inches

Grip length 9.5cm/3.75 inches

EATING KNIFE

Blade length 12cm/4.75 inches

DAGGER, EATING SET & SCABBARD

Overall length 45cm/17.75 inches

Overall weight 975 grams/2lb2.4oz

PLEASE CONTACT US BEFORE MAKING PAYMENT ON THE SITE AS THERE IS A 8-12 MONTH LEAD TIME.

https://todsworkshop.com/collections/historical-daggers/products/dance-of-death-dagger-order-here

LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE TO ORDER - DELIVERY WITHIN 12 MONTHS

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PLEASE NOTE THE ACTUAL DAGGER PICTURED IS SOLD. THERE WILL BE A LIMITED NUMBER MADE TO ORDER

Collections: Medieval Museum Quality Weapons

Category: 16thC, dagger, Dance Macabre, Dance of Death, Dance of Death dagger, Hans Holbein