Lot 186: A JEWELLED GILT AND GUILLOCHE ENAMELLED CEREMONIAL DAGGER IN THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STYLE, 19TH CENTURY

A ceremonial dagger or paper knife designed in the late 19th-century Russian Imperial style. The pommel is chased in the form of a fox or wolf head with detailed fur texture and set with circular-cut ruby eyes. The cylindrical grip is finished in translucent white guilloche enamel over a wavy engine-turned ground. Applied to the centre of the grip is a stylised monogram set with rose-cut diamonds, incorporating the Roman numeral III. The flared lower hilt mount is chased with a repeating foliate pattern and bears a small, illegible punched mark. The rectangular crossguard is pavé-set along the front edge with rose-cut diamonds. The double-edged, tapered blade is entirely gilt and engraved on both faces with scrolling foliate and floral motifs. The ricasso features an applied, pierced foliate overlay set with circular-cut rubies and rose-cut diamonds.

L: 18cm