Table knife - Gilded bronze wedding knife, with Baccus handle featuring inscription. - Marriage of Baccus 1660

Description
Gilded bronze wedding knife, executed in Gothic style, with a finely chiseled handle in the shape of Bacchus. The knife maker's mark is present and struck into the blade as a cross.

Condition
The object has been professionally cleaned with PEG and then conserved with almond oil for stabilization and to prevent further corrosion. It is in good, original condition with normal age and usage marks appropriate for its age.

Dimensions
Height: 22 cm (8.66 in)
Width: 2.5 cm (0.98 in)
Depth: 2 cm (0.79 in)
Period
Circa 1660

Inscription
The blade bears an inscribed moralizing and philosophical text. The inscription is visible on the last three images.

Description of the lightly poetic text.
Rarely is there less wisdom in everything I find.

word-for-word explanation
• Zelden = rarely / almost never
• is is min = is less; min = less (drop 'minste')
• a wijs = to wisdom; wijs = wisdom
everything I find

Remarks
A rare and museum-worthy object of high collectible value, suitable for inclusion in a specialized collection or museum context.