Brass paper knife in the form of an ornate sword. the body of the hadle is a hard wood which is encased in brass cutwork and studding.
 
n the 18th and early 19th century correspondence would be folded and then sealed with a wax disc. Although the envelope was invented as early as 200 BC, it didnt come into comman use until the 1850s when machines were used to make an envelope as we would recognise today.
The paper knife was a neccesary daily tool to open your mornings correspondence, these came in all shapes and designs and various metals, such as brass, silver , silverplate and wood.As the century moved on elaborate designs became popular.
 
Because this is of a larger size it would probably have been used on a large desk for a  Gentleman, and would have been in a wealthy household.
 
In good condition.
 
Measuring: 31cm long