Design for Two Sides of a Dagger Sheath 1825 - 1880

Eusebio Zuloaga designed these two sides of a dagger sheath with pen, ink, and watercolor. Zuloaga was a master metalworker, so this drawing wasn’t just an idea, but a plan for something to be made with a hammer and fire. The design is intricate, full of swirling patterns and tiny figures, all meant to be chased or engraved into metal. Look closely, and you can imagine the artisan carefully working the surface, pushing and cutting the metal to bring out the details. The choice of imagery is also telling, with mythical creatures and scenes of struggle, perhaps reflecting the owner’s status and the power the dagger represents. The use of precious metals and the sheer amount of labor involved speak to a culture where craftsmanship and artistry were highly valued, and where even a weapon could be a canvas for elaborate design. It blurs the line between functional object and art.