A stiletto — the genuine Renaissance Italian anti-armour thrusting dagger — offered here in a Novelty pattern branded ‘Queen,’ worth noting directly that this naming is a modern Novelty product line rather than a historical designation.
The stiletto emerged in Italy in the late 15th century, developed from the earlier rondel dagger and misericorde tradition as a dedicated anti-armour design. Its narrow, triangular or diamond cross-section blade carried no sharpened edge at all — the entire design concentrated force into a single needle-like point, purpose-built to punch through mail links or slip into the gaps between plate armour. The type is directly referenced in Achille Marozzo’s 1536 fencing treatise Opera Nova dell’Arte delle Armi, one of the most important surviving works on Renaissance Italian swordsmanship, which included dedicated instruction on dagger and stiletto technique. As plate armour declined through the 16th and 17th centuries, the stiletto remained in everyday use, its slim, easily concealed profile making it a common personal sidearm across Italy long after its original battlefield purpose had faded. The ‘Queen’ naming on this particular pattern is a modern Novelty branding choice rather than any genuine historical designation — the underlying stiletto form itself, however, is entirely authentic to Renaissance Italy.
Deepeeka’s reproduction is fully usable for costume dressing and display, part of our Renaissance heritage range.
Use for:
- Renaissance living history and costume dressing
- Museum-style display on a wall mount or stand
- Renaissance-themed home decor and collections
- Historical events and Renaissance fairs
- Film and theatre productions set in Renaissance Italy
- Collectors of Renaissance thrusting daggers
