A DISTINCTIVE DESIGN

Dagger. Brazil. Late nineteenth century.

Truncated conical hilt, round in section, although faceted in its central portion, divided into different sections, with a sphere-shaped pommel, and a particular chiselled gasket in which the scabbard fits; this one, very stylized, chiselled with phytomorphic motifs, without a tip, has a cast and openwork frog stud with the head of a mythological animal. Measures. Blade length: 17.8 cm. Total length: 30.2 cm.

Blade with its central spike, sharp edge, prominent recess and smooth spine. No authorship mark, surely the result of an old craft forging.

These versions of Brazilian cutlery, with heritage of Arab and North African affiliation, reached a style that spread from São Paulo to the north, to the region of Bahía de San Salvador, including the most distinguished variants that came from the hands of goldsmiths and jewelers. from Rio de Janeiro.