Small sickle. Bukhara, 19th century

milandro · 15th February 2023, 04:44 PM

the thing is that this hawkbill knife may not have had a special function at all.

Most probably its quality of execution far out-performs function.

I don't think this had any ceremonial purpose and although grand, this was a simple utilitarian knife and , as suggested from its hawkbill shape, supposedly used in agricultural ( it is obviously meant to pry and or pull while cutting) context.

ariel · 15th February 2023, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milandro

Most probably its quality of execution far out-performs function.

This is absolutely true. But knives/daggers varied in their sophistication and quality of execution depending on the status of their owner.
A garden variety Misericorde dagger was just kind of narrow stabbing blade with a minimalistic handle. But a rich man could have ordered a " work of art".

15th February 2023, 04:44 PM	#1
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 498	the thing is that this hawkbill knife may not have had a special function at all. Most probably its quality of execution far out-performs function. I don't think this had any ceremonial purpose and although grand, this was a simple utilitarian knife and , as suggested from its hawkbill shape, supposedly used in agricultural ( it is obviously meant to pry and or pull while cutting) context.