1644
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Ornamentation for a Dagger and Scabbard is a 1644 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows two fancy dagger handles and a scabbard. The metalwork is packed with swirling patterns—leaves, scrolls, and tiny faces peeking out. One handle has a globe with a crowned head on it, like a king’s emblem. The artist used fine lines to pack so much detail into a small space. This was made in 1644 as a design guide for real daggers. Look up etching to see how artists like this carved their images into metal plates.
Wenceslaus Hollar (Czech: Václav Hollar (Czech pronunciation: ), German: Wenzel Hollar; 23 July 1607 – 25 March 1677) was a Czech engraver, etcher and painter.
See the richer artist page
