SMALL KNIFE French, late 16th century. Finely chiselled and engraved iron handle, decorated with foliage and gilt. Canted centre piece with mother-of-pearl inlays, engraved in a diamond pattern. The end of the grip in the shape of a capital with chiselled foliage and a dragon's head on top. Blade bolster retracted and with a leaf wreath. Pointed blade with a single ridge on the cutting side, the entire surface etched with gilt vine decoration. The base of the blade engraved on both sides with fleur-de-lys in an oval medallion with leaf wreath. L 12.8 cm. Gilding rubbed, signs of use. Edge chipping on the cutting side of the blade.