LOT 0386

Enamelled Bronze Dagger Pommel

CIRCA 18TH CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER

1 1/2 in. (42.9 grams, 38 mm).

Comprising a rectangular-section body pierced longitudinally with knop finial; lateral bowed arms with scrolled ends rising to the level of the knop and similar flared below; panels of arabesque tendril ornament to both flat faces and to the lateral arms; damaged.

From an English private collection, 1980s.
Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.

Cf. for a knight depicted in the Westminster Psalter c.1225-1250, whose sword pommel is a similar shape to those in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in the University of Chicago, which have fleurs in scallop-shapes, see Nicolle D., Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era 1050-1350, 1988, Greenhill Books; for further examples see Metropolitan Museum of Art, object no.2015.696 and 29.158.685; La Rocca (2011, 140; fig.19); also an example published in Hammond (2013, 69; fig. 1.8.1-p) and in Ashley and Biddle (2014, 199-200; no.1).

There seems to be a good argument for this pommel to be part of the French group of crusader pommels in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in the University of Chicago, which date to the 12th-13th century A.D. This object has parallels with this group in terms of its crude manufacture, type of enamel, and overall style, as well as the fleur in scallop shape, which is almost identical to the lobes found on many of the circular sword pommels of this group.