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Chief's Grade I & S Sorby Ivory Handle Dag Knife

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Chief's Grade I & S Sorby Ivory Handle Dag Knife
This is a historic & important authentic American Indian Presentation Dag Knife from I & S Sorby dated to early 19th century (1800-). The outstanding presentation dag knife features elaborate and artful carved Walrus Ivory grips with elegantly applied pure silver plaques secured with pins. The forged blade has a median ridge along the center on both sides, which is a documented early dag feature along with a faint “IS” stamp. The “IS” touch mark has been identified as being from I & S Sorby by such notable historians as Baldwin, Hanson, and others. This high grade of fancy artful manufacture is referred to as a “Chief’s Grade” “Presentation Grade” knife as they were given exclusively to Chief’s and other tribal dignitary’s during treaty signings and important trade negotiations. . The knife shows a wonderful artful carved pattern and has a very fine, mellow patina along with a pierced hole that likely held a drop of feathers or beads at one time. This example of a Chief’s Grade Presentation Dag knife dates to the early 19th century and is one of the finest of its high grade ivory and silver design of any dag knife offered for sale. The authentic original dag knife is from the famed collections of Arnold Marcus Chernoff and Mark Francis. The Arnold Marcus Chernoff collection has won many awards including at the National Rifle Association in 1975. Another presentation grade dag knife from this same collection with similar art features sold at Bonham’s & Butterfields June 2015 Premier Auction for $18,750.00. This is one of the finest examples known to exist in any museum or private collection. This piece would not have been owned by an average Indian and is truly an extremely rare piece. These were made to be killing weapons, this is why dag knives show a clean long double sided blade without any serration as they were for battle. Unlike other knives worn by Indian Warriors the dag knife would have been worn around the Indians neck on his chest. The dag knife has a total length of 12 inches. References: "Early Knives & Beaded Sheaths of the American Frontier" (2001) by John Baldwin pages 42-49. Bonhams & Butterfields Native American Art Sale June 2015 Lot 4224.