Lot 408
A fine Victorian dress dirk
Auction: 16 August 2010 at 15:00 BST
Description
mounts apparently unmarked, the handled formed as an eagles foot holding a round cut citrine in it talons, with naturalistically formed lower section about a scroll border, the steel blade inscribed for 'MEYER & MORTIMER, EDINBURGH) and fine engraved to both sides, one with crest with scroll and thistle formed cartouche and scene of a gentleman in kilt fishing in a Highland landscape and to the opposing side with three gentleman on a stag hunt in landscape; the leather covered scabbard set en suite with bi knife and fork (the knife inscribed for a retailer or cutler John Sellar), the handles formed as eagles feet with citrine set within talons, the mounts and chape with highly embossed thistle designs
Dimensions
blade 25.5cm long, overall length 38cm
Footnote
Heralrdry: the crest is that off DOUGLAS
Notes: while etched and engraved blades for Victorian military dirks are not uncommon it is very unusual to find such engraved scenes to the blade of a civilian dirk. It is possible that the scenes denote part of the dirks history and suggest it is possible a ghillies dress dirk for a large Highland estate. It is recorded that ater Queen Victoria (and later monarchs) started the fashion to supply dress wear to estate staff some of the larger estates followed suit, this was often incarnated in official tweed and tartans for workers but in some cases went further to Highland Dress accessories.