**Originally Listed At $1000**
North America, probably Mexico, Spanish Colonial Period, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. A beautiful personal knife with a slender blade and a handle carved from dark-brown bull horn. The double-edged blade features a stylized animal incised on each shoulder as well as a radiant peak above a grooved horizontal bar, and the tang and shoulder base are housed within clamped tabs just below the compressed spherical handle ornament. The handle bears dozens of shallow incisions that increase the user's grip in wet or dry conditions, and both the top and bottom are adorned with brass caps. An elaborate dagger like this example was perhaps owned by an individual of wealth and status as customized blade motifs were difficult to master and expensive to commission. A lovely weapon enveloped in nice patina. Size: 1.125" W x 11" H (17 cm x 2.9 cm x 27.9 cm); (blade): 6.7" L (17 cm)
Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection, acquired in 2019; ex-private Chickasaw family collection, Oklahoma, USA
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#155397
Condition
Loss to tip of blade as shown. Nicks to handle and blade, with very slight bending to overall form of blade, minor softening to some engraved details, and light encrustations. Great patina throughout.