Dagger grip Gothic Handle - 52 mm

The grip of this left-handed dagger is made of bronze and represents a characteristic example of late medieval artisanal metalworking. Noteworthy is the presence of incised Gothic letters, which in their design point to an inscription in Latin. Such inscriptions were common on weapons and utilitarian objects in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and could serve a variety of functions: from devotional invocations and protective formulas to owner marks or moral mottoes. The specific text on this specimen has not yet been deciphered, but the stylistic features of the script align with the Gothic minuscule that was widespread in this period.

The choice of bronze as the material for the grip points to a combination of durability and decorative value. Bronze chipped and engraved relatively well, making it particularly suitable for applying such inscriptions.

At the same time it offered sufficient sturdiness for daily use, especially when the dagger was used not only as a weapon but also as a practical knife.

In conjunction with the conservation and restoration described earlier, the grip forms an important part of the object’s historical and aesthetic value. The presence of the original inscription, regardless of whether it has already been read, contributes to authenticity and offers potential for further research into the origin, use, and symbolism of this grip.

The specimen shown here comes from a Dutch Bosch collection and is likely dredged up or found as a fieldfind; the soil find dates to the fifteenth to late sixteenth century and remains uncleaned.