When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Wonderful pair of vintage Scandinavian / Sámi-style puukko knives, offered together as found.
These are highly decorative traditional-style knives featuring pale carved bone/antler-type material, leatherwork and hand-incised folk decoration. The larger piece is especially striking, with an unusual deeply curved sheath decorated with a hand-scrimshawed woodland scene featuring animals among trees, along with traditional geometric symbols and contrasting inset pins.
The upper portion of the large sheath is wrapped in brown leather with four embossed floral/star motifs. The knife itself has a pale bone/antler-style handle decorated with fine geometric lines and a central flower motif.
The smaller companion knife follows the same general style, with a dramatically curved pale sheath, leather wrapping and hand-incised decoration. Its tiny fixed blade has a matching pale handle with dark geometric decoration.
The two pieces look wonderful displayed together and appear stylistically related, although I cannot confirm whether they were originally made or sold as a set.
Approximate size:
The larger sheathed knife measures approximately 7 inches overall based on the photographs. The smaller piece is approximately 4 inches overall. Please refer to the photograph with measuring tape for exact scale.
Condition:
Both are in vintage, pre-owned condition with age-related wear, patina, discoloration and evidence of use.
The blades show surface wear/patina and previous sharpening. The leather has expected aging, wear and some deterioration around edges/stitching. The pale carved material has natural coloration, marks and age-related wear. Please examine the detailed photographs carefully for condition.
I have not cleaned, polished or restored either piece, and they are being sold exactly as found.
I have not located a clearly identifiable maker’s mark on these pieces. Their exact maker, age, country of origin and material composition are therefore not guaranteed, and I prefer to leave further attribution to knowledgeable collectors rather than overstate their provenance.
An unusual and very decorative pair for a collection of Sámi, Lapland, Scandinavian, Nordic, folk-art or traditional puukko knives.
Sale includes both knives and their respective sheaths shown in the photographs.
