Dance of Death Dagger - ORDER HERE
£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 it's 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
Only 10 will be made. 9 available to order for delivery within one year of order being placed.
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Actual dagger pictured is now sold.
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