Fire-steel (length 5 1/8 ins)

PART OF:
Bryant and May collection of fire-making appliances.
Made:
Bow

Fire-steel (length 5 1/8 ins), of thin metal; pointed at bottom; top emerges from mouth of head of a large phoenix-like bird, boldly engraved and life-like; its long tapering twisted neck recurved to form hand-hold; probably 16th century. [NB: One of 19 examples (nos. 487-505) which are all believed to be Persian or Indo-Persian and some to be very old. They are all of peculiar, but elegant, shape. Several are decorated by excellent damascene-work in gold. Together they form a handsome and interesting series which is worthy of special notice.]

Details

Category:
Firemaking
Object Number:
1937-682/489
type:
firesteels
credit:
Wilkinson Sword Ltd.

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