Ring dagger with round brass quillon

Jim McDougall · 24th October 2010, 07:48 PM

Good analogy there Cesare on the 'love children' for those of us who remember the blur of the 60s purple haze and all

On the sinister side, I wonder if possibly that this dagger may be a misericorde, and the symbolism may reflect a different, yet benovolent, aspect of Christian love, that of mercy.
While the fish is of course well known as a Christian symbol, the dolphin is often perceived in Christian art as a guide to lead souls into paradise and represents resurrection and salvation.

In the codes of chivalry, the dispatch of the fallen was not necessarily an act of vengeance or hatred, and carrying out this naturally unpleasant, although merciful act certainly must have weighed heavily on the conscience of the man faced with this duty.

On the other hand, the dagger may well be as it seems, and with the ring, being intended for more amorous and far more pleasant pursuits. Maybe it is a wedding dagger. The dolphins representation of love and benevolence is widely interpreted.

Michael, would you mind restating notes on the mark?

best regards,
Jim

Matchlock · 25th October 2010, 01:45 PM

Michael, would you mind restating notes on the mark?

best regards,
Jim[/QUOTE]

Hi Ceare and Jim,

Here is my opinion on the mark once again:

The mark obviously was deeply struck, so it has to be the smith's mark struck in the yellow read iron. The star, gear or flowerhead shaped symbol is characteristic of literally hundreds of plain smiths' marks from the early medieval times to at least the 17th century and can be found on arrow heads, matchlock mechanisms and blacksmiths' tongs. Any closer identification would, in my opinion, be just illusionary.

Best,
Michael

24th October 2010, 07:48 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,467	Good analogy there Cesare on the 'love children' for those of us who remember the blur of the 60s purple haze and all On the sinister side, I wonder if possibly that this dagger may be a misericorde, and the symbolism may reflect a different, yet benovolent, aspect of Christian love, that of mercy. While the fish is of course well known as a Christian symbol, the dolphin is often perceived in Christian art as a guide to lead souls into paradise and represents resurrection and salvation. In the codes of chivalry, the dispatch of the fallen was not necessarily an act of vengeance or hatred, and carrying out this naturally unpleasant, although merciful act certainly must have weighed heavily on the conscience of the man faced with this duty. On the other hand, the dagger may well be as it seems, and with the ring, being intended for more amorous and far more pleasant pursuits. Maybe it is a wedding dagger. The dolphins representation of love and benevolence is widely interpreted. Michael, would you mind restating notes on the mark? best regards, Jim

25th October 2010, 01:45 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Michael, would you mind restating notes on the mark? best regards, Jim[/QUOTE] Hi Ceare and Jim, Here is my opinion on the mark once again: The mark obviously was deeply struck, so it has to be the smith's mark struck in the yellow read iron. The star, gear or flowerhead shaped symbol is characteristic of literally hundreds of plain smiths' marks from the early medieval times to at least the 17th century and can be found on arrow heads, matchlock mechanisms and blacksmiths' tongs. Any closer identification would, in my opinion, be just illusionary. Best, Michael