A Rare Continental Gold-Mounted Tortoiseshell-Veneered Dirk - Early 19th Century

Lot No: 19. With tapering double-edged blade of flattened diamond section, hilt with straight quillons each formed as a stylised fleur-de-lys, below the quillon-block a sleeve fitting over the throat of the scabbard, and multi-faceted wooden grip covered with tortoiseshell under-painted in gold and with turned and faceted collar and pommel-cap, the latter with later screw-in button, in original fabric-lined tortoiseshell scabbard of flattened diamond section with gold locket, chape and suspension mount each with cusped border, and two gold rings for suspension carrying four gold chains  39.9 cm. blade - Estimate: £1,500 - 1,800

Literature: G. de Vries and B.J. Martens, The Visser Collection, vol. I, part 4, cat. no. 1003, pp. 724-725

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Bonhams. Fine Antique Arms & Armour from the Henk L. Visser Collection, 28 Nov 2007. Knightsbridge