A fine example of a dirk, without which no Highland formal dresswear is complete, was among the stand-out lots at Cuttlestones’ (17.5% buyer’s premium) sale at Penkridge on November 22.

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | Terence Ryle

With a maker’s mark probably for Peter Macgregor Western, the Edinburgh 1886 dagger’s silver hilt was engraved with Celtic symbols and mythical beasts and the silver mounts on the original leather sheath were engraved with blank cartouches.

Complete with bejewelled-handled knife and fork en-suite, and a large example at 17¾in (45cm) overall, it was pitched at £2000-3000 in the Staffordshire sale and sold on commission at £4000.