29th Jun, 2023 12:00
The David Hayden-Wright Collection of Antique Knives
687
A DAGGER, MARKED MAZEPPA, PROBABLY SAMUEL HANCOCK & SONS, LATE 19TH CENTURY
with broad blade formed with a clipped-back point, recessed ricasso struck with a figure strapped to a horse’s back and ‘Mazeppa’ on one face, German silver hilt cast in low relief, comprising guard and pommel decorated with scrolls, milled copper alloy fillers and hardwood scales, in its tooled and gilt leather scabbard,17.2 cm blade
Literature
David Hayden-Wright, The Heritage of English Knives, Atglen, Pennsylvania, 2008, p. 291.
The Mazeppa mark refers to Ivan Mazeppa, a historical Cossack figure in Ukraine, who had been bound naked to a horse’s back as a punishment for adultery. Samuel Hancock (circa 1795-1854), a cutlery manufacturer in Pea Croft, Sheffield, was granted this mark in 1849. In 1896 the company and its mark passed to Reuss & Co.
Part proceeds to benefit the Acquisition Fund of the Arms and Armor department, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Sold for £1,500
with broad blade formed with a clipped-back point, recessed ricasso struck with a figure strapped to a horse’s back and ‘Mazeppa’ on one face, German silver hilt cast in low relief, comprising guard and pommel decorated with scrolls, milled copper alloy fillers and hardwood scales, in its tooled and gilt leather scabbard,17.2 cm blade
Literature
David Hayden-Wright, The Heritage of English Knives, Atglen, Pennsylvania, 2008, p. 291.
The Mazeppa mark refers to Ivan Mazeppa, a historical Cossack figure in Ukraine, who had been bound naked to a horse’s back as a punishment for adultery. Samuel Hancock (circa 1795-1854), a cutlery manufacturer in Pea Croft, Sheffield, was granted this mark in 1849. In 1896 the company and its mark passed to Reuss & Co.
Part proceeds to benefit the Acquisition Fund of the Arms and Armor department, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Auction: The David Hayden-Wright Collection of Antique Knives, 29th Jun, 2023
