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Cree Chief's Grade Presentation Dag Knife c1830

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Cree Chief's Grade Presentation Dag Knife c1830
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This is a rare and exceptional example of an authentic American Indian Dag Knife, dated to circa 1830-1840 and attributed to the Cree/Metis Native American Indians. The piece originally came from the large and respected Arnold Marcus Chernoff collection of American Indian Weapons. The piece features a solid walnut handle and long, flat tapering forged blade with a slight median ridge on both sides. Each side of the walnut wood grips is adorned with three copper placards accenting the piece and secured with copper pins. This style of ornate dag knife is referred to as a “Chief’s Grade” or “Presentation Grade” knife as they were given to Chief’s and tribal dignitaries during trade negotiations and treaty signings. Similar examples can be seen in “Early Knives and Beaded Sheaths of the American Frontier” (1997) and in "Indian Guns, Spears & Shields of the American Frontier (2002) by John Baldwin. Bonham’s Auction House listed a very similar example of Presentation Dag knife in their June 1, 2015 sale which sold for $18,750 and shows the same pattern of manufacture with the elaborate placards and flat grip having a rounded hilt area with flared gripping area which tapered to a round pommel (the knife blade had the same patina as the piece offered in this lot). Sotheby’s Auction House offered a Blackfoot Dag knife that sold for $22,500 that had the same grip pattern and patina blade. This dag knife is from the same collection as the Presentation Dag Knife sold by our company on 4/29/2017 for $10,200 (including premiums) and the Presentation Dag Knife offered and later sold on private treaty in our 6/3/2017 sale. The knife appears to have the correct patina indicative of age and use with a very fine large size that presents very well and would accent any collection. This piece will be included in the upcoming book/publication titled, “Rare American Indian Weapons” by Mark Francis due out in 2018. From the collections of Marcus Chernoff and Mark Francis. This is truly a very fine presentation dag knife. Measures overall 2.75" x 15".