Dagger Sheath with Gentleman Holding a Parrot 

This dagger sheath with a gentleman holding a parrot was made by Heinrich Aldegrever. The ornamental print was etched onto iron, a common material in Europe in the 16th century. Aldegrever, a printmaker and goldsmith, was clearly skilled in metalworking, as we can see in the remarkable level of detail on the surface of the iron plate. The etched lines create tone and texture in the depiction of clothing, botanical forms, and the figure of a well-dressed man holding a bird. Daggers were both weapons and fashion statements. And what better way to show off than with a stylish sheath? We might even say that Aldegrever blurs the line between functionality and artistry. He transforms an everyday object into something of beauty, reminding us that labor, materials, and function are all part of a much bigger picture.