Dagger and Sheath
Félicie de Fauveau
(French, 1801–1886)
about 1850
Object PlaceFrance
Medium/TechniqueSilvered and gilded bronze, etched steel
DimensionsOverall: 6.4 x 56 cm (2 1/2 x 22 1/16 in.)
Credit LineElizabeth Marie Paramino Fund in memory of John F. Paramino, Boston Sculptor and Helen and Alice Colburn Fund
Accession number1997.4.1-2
On View
Not on viewClassificationsMetalwork
Collections
The dramatic scene on the hilt of this dagger is taken from Shakespeare's Othello. The subject matter and decoration are typical of the mid-nineteenth century Troubadour style, which looked to romantic, literary, and historical sources for inspiration and drew heavily upon medieval and Renaissance ornament. Félicie de Fauveau specialized in sculpture and decorative objects-including such daggers as this one-which she produced in her studio in Florence, Italy.
ProvenanceBy 1997, with Galerie Elstir, Paris, France; 1997, sold by Galerie Elstir and bought by the MFA in memory of John F. Paramino, and through the Helen and Alice Colburn Fund. (Accession date: January 22, 1997)
Unidentified artist
about 1830-1860