Dagger
19th century in the 15th century style
Medium
Steel
Dimensions
H.: 41.3 cm (16 1/4 in.); Blade: H.: 26.7 cm (10 1/2 in.)
Classification
edged weapon-dagger
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
116965
Art Historical Context
This elegant steel dagger, on view in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Applied Arts of Europe, exemplifies19th-century historicism. Crafted in the style of 15th-century edged weapons, it measures 41.3 cm (16 1/4 in.) in overall height, with a blade of 26.7 cm (10 1/2 in.). Though its maker remains unknown, the piece reflects a Victorian-era fascination with medieval aesthetics, where artisans revived Gothic and early Renaissance forms to evoke chivalry and grandeur. In the 19th century, such daggers were often commissioned for ceremonial use, costume, or as collector's items amid ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...