Stiletto with Grip Fashioned as Figures of Charity, Justice, and Hope

Cleveland Museum of Art

Stiletto with Grip Fashioned as Figures of Charity, Justice, and Hope by an unknown artist. The stiletto features a long, thin, gray metal blade with a slight curve at the tip, becoming narrower towards the point. The blade shows signs of wear and aging with darker patches and lighter areas suggesting oxidation; it has a slight T-shaped crossguard with flat, wide quillons. The hilt is made of a light-colored material, possibly ivory or bone, and features three intricately carved female figures stacked vertically. The figures have distinct facial features and are dressed in robes; from top to bottom, the first figure wears a crown or headpiece and appears to hold an object in one hand, the second figure holds her hands together near her chest with a gentle smile, and the third figure holds a vessel or container. The background is a gradient transitioning from dark gray at the edges to lighter gray in the center.