Knife Hilt with a Monk (St Dominic?) c. 1550 - 1620

Jan Deijcker carved this ivory knife hilt in the form of a monk, possibly St Dominic. The choice of subject matter and the practical function of the object offer insights into the cultural context of its creation. Small, portable objects like this hilt circulated widely and served as indicators of status and taste. The religious imagery reflects the continued importance of the church in everyday life and the popularity of specific saints. The hilt might have been commissioned by a member of the Dominican order or someone with a particular devotion to St Dominic. It could also be a more general expression of religious identity. The presence of the lock and key at the base of the hilt remains more elusive. Historians consult archival documents, religious texts, and studies of material culture to better understand the meanings and uses of objects like this. The interpretation of art is never fixed, but always open to revision, as we uncover more about the social and institutional contexts in which it was made and used.