Cinquedea Dagger, 15th/16th Century

EXTREMELY RARE DAGGER KNOWN AS "CINQUEDEA" Italy, late 15th/early 16th century. Triangular, double-edged iron blade, grooved in the middle, the central section double-fullered, an oval hallmark on a gilt background at the base. Finely chased bronze hilt with traces of original gilding, guard with arms curved towards the blade, ribbed and with small acorn-shaped ends, the center of the crossguard engraved with a stylized bird (?). Animal pommel with two heads with open jaws, iron button in the center. The hilt with triangular scales of dark horn. The sides are chased bronze, with foliage decoration on a granulated background on both the front and back, two finely openwork rosettes in the center (characteristic of this period). Smooth sides. A beautiful dagger of unusual shape, unique of its kind and certainly produced by a high-level manufacturer. Length 38.2 cm. VENICE or FERRARA, 15th century