Description
Circa 19th Century
In many traditions and folklore, Azrael is known as the Angel of Retribution and is identified with the Archangel of Death. This dagger faithfully replicates a 19th-century French design created as a tribute to this formidable figure.
The blade is notably large, shaped in a form reminiscent of the ancient Egyptian willow leaf,a broad center tapering smoothly to a keen point, well-suited for both cutting and thrusting. The grip commands attention with its detailed carving, featuring a three-dimensional cloaked skeletal figure as its central motif. Winding around the guard and extending toward the blade is a serpent, a symbol carrying dual meanings of danger and protection.
The scabbard is made from black leather, adorned with finely wrought filigree metalwork. All metal fittings are plated in 24-karat gold, giving the piece a striking appearance. The combination of intricate detail and symbolic imagery reflects the 19th-century fascination with mortality and the supernatural.
Such a dagger would not seem out of place among the belongings of a Victorian detective like Sherlock Holmes, who often faced the mysterious and macabre. It is presented in a lined, coffin-shaped box, underscoring its connection to themes of death and the afterlife.
Fun fact: The Azrael Dagger’s design, featuring the skeletal figure and serpent, draws inspiration from medieval European memento mori traditions,objects meant to remind their owners of life’s fragility and the inevitability of death.
