Kaarlo Merikoski (1878–1954) Knife And Its Sheath Sami Culture, Northern Finland

Kaarlo MERIKOSKI (1878–1954)
KNIFE and its SHEATH
Sami culture, northern Finland
Circa 1925
Birch wood and steel
Total length : 20.5 cm
Knife length: 18 cm

Straight-bladed, single-edged knife, engraved with the maker’s name and located in Oulu. The tang, with a beak-shaped pommel, is carved from a section of reindeer antler and adorned with a frieze of engraved sawtooth patterns encircled by two thin wooden rings. Its sheath consists of two slightly curved birchwood strips that taper at their ends—one side is engraved with a scene depicting a reindeer-drawn sleigh. They are joined together with five copper rivets. The upper part of the scabbard features a third section of reindeer antler carved into a stylized shell shape, incised with a scalloped border and centered with a coat of arms. Copper suspension wire.

This is likely a prestigious piece that may have been given as a gift of honor.

Provenance: Former American private collection.