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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy dagger guard, dating to the Medieval period, between AD 1200 - 1400 (length: 88mm; width: 25mm; thickness at terminals: 10.5mm; weight: 29.57g).The centre of the guard is oval in plan and flat in section (length: 42mm; width: see above; thickness: 2.5mm) with a rectangular tang hole in the centre (length of hole: 12mm; width of hole: 5.5mm) and a partially collar, which is visible as a small triangular protrusion to the left and right at either end. The two arms of 'quillons' (length: 22.5mm; width at terminals: 10.5mm; thickness at terminals: see above) to either side of the oval centre are complete with a sub-rectangular section before they taper outwards from a narrow neck to expand a slightly pointed globular terminal (length of terminal: 8.5mm). These globular terminals curve slightly with one facing upwards and the other at the opposing end facing downwards. There is no other decoration on the artefact and, overall, the dagger guard is in a slightly worn but fair condition with a dark brown patina.An identical artefact is illustrated in Read, B, 2001, 'Metal Artefacts of Antiquity: A Catalogue of Small Finds from Specific Areas of the United Kingdom Volume One', pages 76 & 86, fig 54, ref no627, which was found in South Devon. Read describes this artefact as a dagger guard from a quillon-dagger, dating from the 13th - 15th century.Further illustrations of quillon-daggers are shown in Ward Perkins, J, B, 1940, 'London Museum Medieval Catalogue', pages 39-42, plates VI-VII. Ward Perkins states that these artefacts are military daggers with the earliest examples surviving from the 13th century. Additionally, it is mentioned that there are 'frequent representations in the Maciejowski Bible, c. 1250, passim, depicting a short, sword-shaped weapon, with quillons drooping slightly toward the point, and a lobed or circular pommel'. This type of military dagger was common until the end of the fourteenth century when they were ousted in popularity by the rondel dagger. However, Ward Perkins is keen to note that they by no means went out of use at this time and representations of them occur at all periods.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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