Parrying dagger (pugnale bolognese), ca. 1550–75
Italian
Partly gilt steel, brass, and wood; Wt. 15 oz. (425 g)
Gift of Jean Jacques Reubell, in memory of his mother, Julia C. Coster, and of his wife, Adeline E. Post, both of New York City, 1926 (26.145.94)
Technical Glossary
Italian
Partly gilt steel, brass, and wood; Wt. 15 oz. (425 g)
Gift of Jean Jacques Reubell, in memory of his mother, Julia C. Coster, and of his wife, Adeline E. Post, both of New York City, 1926 (26.145.94)
Designed to be used together with a rapier, this dagger is fitted with a side ring, recurved quillons, and a depression at the base of one side of the blade to accommodate the thumb and facilitate a firmer grip. The waves in the blade may be intended to act like "speed bumps" in breaking the impact of a blow from an opponent's blade. The piercing of the fullers (grooves) is a decorative motif.
Open full-size image
