Knives
ca. 1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a pair of marriage knives and sheath in ivory. The two knives each represent a woman and a man. The crowned man is holding a harp, probably representing King David from the Old Testament and the nude woman, wearing a helmet, probably representing Bellona, the goddess of war. The inscribed letters SARA PIETERS, are presumably referring to the original owner. The name and the style of carving suggest that these are Netherlandish pieces and they are likely to date from the mid-seventeenth century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Steel with carved ivory with silver and turquoise mounts |
| Brief description | Pair of marriage knives with sheath, ivory and steel with silver mounts and turquoise, Netherlands, ca. 1650 |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Pair of marriage knives with sheath
About 1650
Both knives are marked ‘Sara Pieters’. The set was probably a wedding gift to her from her husband. It would have symbolised her responsibility for preparing the family meals. The handles show a man and a woman, each exposing a bare leg. This may refer to the naked Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Dutch Republic, now the Netherlands
Ivory, inset with turquoises and steel; silver mounts(09.12.2015) |
| Object history | Bought from C.J. Farley Esq., Putney, London S.W.15 in 1924. |
| Summary | This is a pair of marriage knives and sheath in ivory. The two knives each represent a woman and a man. The crowned man is holding a harp, probably representing King David from the Old Testament and the nude woman, wearing a helmet, probably representing Bellona, the goddess of war. The inscribed letters SARA PIETERS, are presumably referring to the original owner. The name and the style of carving suggest that these are Netherlandish pieces and they are likely to date from the mid-seventeenth century. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.379toB-1924 |
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| Record created | April 18, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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