art-of-swords:Swiss Dagger Dated: circa 1570Culture: SwissMedium: steel, gilt bronze, wood, textileM
art-of-swords:Swiss Dagger Dated: circa 1570Culture: SwissMedium: steel, gilt bronze, wood, textileMeasurements: L. 15 3/4 in. (40.0 cm W. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)Daggers with I-shaped grips were known as baselards, after the city of Basel, and were considered a national arm of the Swiss. Splendidly decorated specimens such as this one, with elaborate gilt bronze mounts and scabbards, were worn by officers and wealthy burghers, who usually also held high-ranking positions in the militia. The figural decoration on the scabbard represents the story of William Tell, the Swiss national hero.Source: Copyright © 2015 The Metropolitan Museum of Art -- source link