Swiss Dagger with Sheath, Bodkin, and By-Knife
Unknown Artist
ca. 1570
Medium
Steel, gold, bronze, wood, textile
Dimensions
Dagger (04.3.130); L. with sheath 17 5/8 in. (44.8 cm); L. without sheath 15 3/4 in. (40 cm); W. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 1.5 oz. (496.1 g); Wt. of sheath 13.3 oz. (377 g); bodkin (04.3.131); L. 7 1/16 in. (17.9 cm); Wt. 0.8 oz. (22.7 g); knife (04.3.132); L. 8 1/16 in. (20.5 cm); W. 5/8 in. (1.6 cm); Wt. 1.1 oz. (31.2 g)
Classification
Daggers
Culture
Swiss
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1904
Accession Number
04.3.130–.132
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This stunning Swiss dagger set, dating to around 1570, exemplifies masterful arms and armor craftsmanship of Renaissance Switzerland. Comprising a main dagger with sheath, a slender bodkin (a piercing tool), and a practical by-knife, it was likely carried by a mercenary or nobleman during an era when Swiss soldiers were famed across Europe for their prowess. The dagger's impressive length—over 17 inches with its sheath—combined with its hefty 1-pound weight, speaks to its dual role as both deadly weapon and status symbol. Crafted from steel for the blades, with lavish accents of gold, bronze, wood, and textile, the ensemble showcases intricate decorative techniques. Motifs of lions and men, possibly engraved or inlaid, evoke themes of strength, valor, and heraldry, blending functionality with artistry. Swiss bladesmiths were renowned for such hybrid objects, where opulent hilts and sheaths elevated everyday arms into wearable treasures. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1904 and now housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department, this piece offers a tangible glimpse into 16th-century martial culture, reminding us how weapons doubled as expressions of identity and power.