Rare 15th C. Scottish Ballock Dagger - Iron & Wood
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Description
Scotland, 15th century CE. This is a distinctive dagger with a thin, sharp blade and strongly phallic shape, as suggested by its name, and by the propensity of medieval Scotsmen to wear it directly in front of their girdles. The easily scandalized Victorians tried to rename it the "kidney dagger" but the name "ballock" / bollock, from the much more sexually frank medieval period, has persisted. This type of dagger is one of five medieval types, and first appeared around 1300; it was in use in Scotland until the end of the 18th century. Based on their depictions in art, these daggers were used by people across society -- knights, merchants, artisans, and churchmen. This particular example can be dated by its blade shape, which is a flattened diamond in cross section and which came into use around the year 1450, and by metal plate reinforcement at the top of the wooden handle, which is an innovation from the early 15th century. The extant wood hilt on this piece is a particularly nice detail -- it is made of a single piece of hardwood, either ebony, holly, rootwood, briar, or heather root. Size: 19" L x 2.4" W (48.3 cm x 6.1 cm)
Provenance: Ex- Duncan collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#113440
Provenance: Ex- Duncan collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#113440
Condition
Intact and quite excellent with minor age crack on handle.
Buyer's Premium
- 22.5%
Rare 15th C. Scottish Ballock Dagger - Iron & Wood
Estimate $15,000 - $20,000
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