French Romantic Revival Neo-medieval Bronze Dagger, 19th Century

French Romantic Revival Neo-Medieval Bronze Dagger, 19th Century.

A finely cast and chased French Romantic Revival dagger, or decorative poignard, dating to the 19th century.

The hilt is modelled as a standing neo-medieval soldier or knight, shown with his hands resting upon a sword. The scabbard is richly decorated in relief with historical and military motifs, including a mask, armour, a quiver, ribbons and scrolling ornament.

The whole piece has a dark patinated bronze surface with gilt-bronze highlights, giving strong contrast to the raised decoration.

This type of object reflects the Romantic taste of the 19th century, when artists and collectors looked back to the Middle Ages as a source of heroic, chivalric and historical inspiration. Although made as a decorative object rather than a practical weapon, the dagger belongs to the wider 19th-century taste for historicist arms and militaria.

The quality of the casting and chasing is very fine and may be compared with the production of important French bronze foundries such as Barbedienne, although no maker’s mark is confirmed.

Origin:
France.

Period:
19th century.

Style:
Romantic Revival, neo-medieval, historicist.

Material:
Bronze, chased and patinated, with gilt-bronze highlights.

Decoration:
Standing knight-form hilt; relief-decorated scabbard with mask, armour, quiver, ribbons and scrolling ornament.

Dimensions:
Total length: 27 cm.

Weight:
Not provided.

Condition:
Age-related wear, patina and surface marks. No maker’s mark is confirmed. The condition is shown in the photographs.