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Collectors Crossroads
Beautiful Silver-Hilt Stiletto Dagger w/ Fullers, Ornate Design, Expert Provenance | 17-18th Century
Beautiful Silver-Hilt Stiletto Dagger w/ Fullers, Ornate Design, Expert Provenance | 17-18th Century
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$2,500.00 USD
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This 17th to 18th-century silver-hilt stiletto dagger is a gorgeous and rare early example with exceptional presence and fine workmanship. The dagger features a silver hilt, double full-length fullers, and profuse engraved decoration, giving the piece a level of refinement far beyond a plain civilian sidearm. The form follows the classic European stiletto tradition, a narrow thrusting dagger designed for deep penetration rather than cutting. Its elegant silver hilt, engraved surfaces, and early date make it a standout example of the type, and it was acquired from one of the world’s most renowned arms and armor experts, adding important provenance and collector confidence.
The stiletto emerged in the late 16th century in the northern Italian Peninsula and flourished across Western Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. As swords increased in popularity and the general importance of the dagger declined, certain specialized forms remained in use, including the left-hand dagger and the stiletto. The stiletto was especially associated with Italy and was valued for concealment, simplicity, and effectiveness as a thrusting weapon. Its name derives from the stylus, the pointed writing instrument used for marking wax tablets. The stiletto’s narrow triangular, quadrangular, or needle-like blade allowed it to pass through heavy clothing and vulnerable gaps, and its compact size made it easily concealed in a boot, sleeve, or beneath clothing. Because of this, it gained a reputation as an assassin’s weapon and was later restricted in some Italian jurisdictions as an arma insidiosa, or insidious weapon.
This is an exceptional early European stiletto with the beauty, rarity, and provenance serious collectors look for. The silver hilt, double full-length fullers, extensive engraving, elegant 17th-18th century form, and connection to a world-renowned arms and armor authority make it a premier lot within this offering. It is an outstanding acquisition for collectors of Renaissance and early modern daggers, Italian and European stilettos, concealed weapons, silver-hilt edged arms, and museum-quality arms and armor.
Provenance: Acquired from the private collection of an internationally recognized arms and armor authority. Acquired only a few years back directly from the experts collection.
The stiletto emerged in the late 16th century in the northern Italian Peninsula and flourished across Western Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. As swords increased in popularity and the general importance of the dagger declined, certain specialized forms remained in use, including the left-hand dagger and the stiletto. The stiletto was especially associated with Italy and was valued for concealment, simplicity, and effectiveness as a thrusting weapon. Its name derives from the stylus, the pointed writing instrument used for marking wax tablets. The stiletto’s narrow triangular, quadrangular, or needle-like blade allowed it to pass through heavy clothing and vulnerable gaps, and its compact size made it easily concealed in a boot, sleeve, or beneath clothing. Because of this, it gained a reputation as an assassin’s weapon and was later restricted in some Italian jurisdictions as an arma insidiosa, or insidious weapon.
This is an exceptional early European stiletto with the beauty, rarity, and provenance serious collectors look for. The silver hilt, double full-length fullers, extensive engraving, elegant 17th-18th century form, and connection to a world-renowned arms and armor authority make it a premier lot within this offering. It is an outstanding acquisition for collectors of Renaissance and early modern daggers, Italian and European stilettos, concealed weapons, silver-hilt edged arms, and museum-quality arms and armor.
Provenance: Acquired from the private collection of an internationally recognized arms and armor authority. Acquired only a few years back directly from the experts collection.
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