Accession Number

1986.008.0024

Alternate object names

Sheath;Case

Creation Date

circa 1600

Description

A slightly curved, wooden sheath, with decorative bronze ends, has generally been regarded as the remains of a razor. In line with such thinking, it would have contained a sharp, steel blade that would have been useful not only for shaving but also as a medical scalpel. The ebony sheath is decorated with fluted grooves running its length. Bronze caps at each end are intricately engraved with repetitive, geometric, Moresque designs. Judging from the evidence presented by the sheath, the piece would not have been particularly strong: The pin holding the blade was small, and, coupled with the relatively thin wood, it would not have withstood much twisting or torque.