id small pretty letter opener

[gp]

Hi Detlev,

the bolster indeed looks the same, but that is one and actually the only aspect of similarity, or do I misunderstand you?

- what about the blade and its decoration? None of the German Solingen have the golden Medieval saint decoration or actually any decoration at all

- next to the filigree rosaces on the handle... which are not German but Italian and also found in Spain

- also "the curl"is part of the vitorv' s dagger blade and not the bolster like in all of your examples...

or am I looking into too much detail and perhaps mistaken or wrong ? what are your thoughts ?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by gp

the bolster indeed looks the same, but that is one and actually the only aspect of similarity, or do I misunderstand you?

- what about the blade and its decoration? None of the German Solingen have the golden Medieval saint decoration or actually any decoration at all

- next to the filigree rosaces on the handle... which are not German but Italian and also found in Spain

- also "the curl"is part of the vitorv' s dagger blade and not the bolster like in all of your examples...

or am I looking into too much detail and perhaps mistaken or wrong ? what are your thoughts ?

Hi Gunar,

High class nicker could have decorations on the blade, I've seen a lot with decorations on the blade, can't find many examples online.
The handle decoration is indeed very unusual but frankly I am not aware of a nicker culture in Spain or Italy but there might be nicker in North Italy. I am very positive that the knife in question is a nicker. Also the blade shape tells me that it's a nicker.
Like said before, I guess that the piece in question is a very old example. But I am far away from being an expert on these daggers.
I asked Google KI if nicker are common in South Tyrol.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Here a short description from Google KI

[Sajen]

The figure on the blade from Vitor's knife could be Hubertus von Liege, the tutelary saint of the hunters.

[gp]

great, thnx a lot for these examples!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by gp

great, thnx a lot for these examples!

You're welcome!

[vitorvt]

Thank you Sajen, thank you gp, for your interest and for sharing your knowledge and pics.

Sajen, I don't know if the figure is Saint Hubertus von Liege, as the one on my knife has a spear. As for the lady, she is depicted on top of a crescent moon, which indicates that She is Our Lady Mary. And I think that in turn is on top of a snake? I'm going to clean it now.
Yours is a considerable collection, with some very interesting and exquisite pieces, thank you for sharing.
I had no idea that such a variety of knives existed. It is a good theme for collecting, provided that the prices are not exorbitant.

It has been established that it is a nicker, but what about the age? 19th century? Older? Questions and more questions...
Thank you.