Parrying Dagger
Unknown Artist
c. 1580–1610
Medium
steel, copper wire
Dimensions
{"overall":{"length":0.265},"blade":{"length":0.172},"quillions":{"width":0.084}}
Classification
Arms and Armor
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance
Accession Number
1916.1657
About this artwork
The perforations within the blade were meant to provide elasticity, preventing it from snapping during vigorous parries. The serrations were arranged not for producing an unpleasant wound, but to "catch" the adversary's blade.