Any thoughts on this very unusual ornate 'gold' miniature knife?

[Iain1211]

I bought this novel little knife yesterday at an antiques fair (Warwickshire, UK). The dealer wanted £20 but then said "I can let you have it for a Cheeky Tenner" so I went for it. My first thought was that it was a novelty toy / cheap souvenir but on closer inspection it's really rather well made, and with lots of detail. It seems to be some kind of gold plate on a metal base. It's quite heavy for its size but doesn't attract a magnet. It has no sharp cutting edge - like a butter knife - but oddly, it shows what appear to be signs of use - or at least wear of some kind - on the tip of the blade. Any thoughts on this please?? It's 1 3/4" long with a blade just over an inch. The dealer knew nothing about it but said it came with a large number of antique folding knives, which suggests it has some age on it. Thanks
Iain

[jerryd6818]

I'm going to take a W.A.G. here and say it's PVD.

Gleaned from the internet;

Physical Vapor Deposition, or PVD, is a vacuum coating process that produces a brilliant decorative and functional finish. PVD utilizes a titanium nitride that provides an extremely durable coating. PVD coatings are more resistant to corrosion from sweat and regular wear than gold plating.

[Iain1211]

Thanks Jerry that looks right. PS I had to look up W.A.G on the internet Over here W.A.G "is an acronym used to refer to Wives And Girlfriends of high-profile professional athletes."
Iain

[terryl308]

Another w.a.g. , maybe it was made for a watch fob? I've never seen one like it before. Terry

[Iain1211]

Interesting idea Terry, you could be onto something there. A search reveals this one which looks a little like mine. Figural Knives "come in every conceivable shape and design. Some were for advertising and some were just for artistic expression."
Picture here:
https://www.doodlefroodleknives.com/archives/208

[americanedgetech]

Aside from what it is or who made it... Have you looked inside the bail for a hallmark?
It appears that the pins, and the bail are a different material. Perhaps gold? Brass?

The shape, and design (to me) suggest it is Turkish, Pakistan, India in origin.

As the WAG's would say... That better be real baby... (wives, and girlfriends)

[Iain1211]

Good point Ken, I assumed it was one material all over, but that appears not to be the case. Very close up here, you can see the metal under the coating, just around the row of dots:

But in the close of of the blade tip it seems the damage has not revealed a different metal underneath, suggesting it's a single malleable material:

I've searched everywhere with high magnification for any hallmarks or other marks but nothing to be found. If it is partly gold I've be as happy as a W.A.G on her birthday

[americanedgetech]

It's difficult to say what the base metal may be.
If there is a base metal...

I would run down to a local jeweler, and get an opinion. They can scratch test the bail, and the knife. I've never had a jeweler charge for this.

[knife7knut]

I have seen similar knives made in Thailand that were made of brass.The detail on this one looks a bit more crude than those suggesting it was cast rather than stamped.I think it is an older key chain ornament or possibly a bracelet charm.Just my S.W.A.G. lol
EDIT: I just noticed that it is not a solid metal but two different ones.It could be brass that has been gold plated using a fire gilding process.If it is I would be cautious of touching the surface as mercury was used in the process. This was used mostly on ornate clocks and picture frames but conceivably could have been used on this knife.

[americanedgetech]

Gettin' all scientific on us eh?

[Quick Steel]

Reminds me of items made in Yemen for Mid-East tourists in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon etc. I see parallels in the decorative use of dots between the two items.

[Iain1211]

Interesting about the dots there 'Quick Steel'. And lovin' the science
I'm beginning to see knowledge can be lucrative too. Forgive me going off topic, but my wife found a metal box recently in an antique centre. There were no marks but she suspected it was silver, and so it was: a late 1800s /early 1900s Chinese cigarette box. She's got it in the auction this week with an estimate of £120 - £150. Not to be outdone I found a small unmarked box in a flea market (hope you call them that over there too, otherwise there will be more confusion.) I got it for £4 as the dealer insisted it was pewter. It turns out to be a very early continental or Russian silver stuff box, also now in the auction, estimate £50+. If we can just do the same for gold...

[americanedgetech]

My mom used to make a killing in the "junk shops" looking for those type items.
There is always going to be a piece that most people simply overlook, that is actually a treasure to others.

It's even more true with pocket knives or just knives in general. I'd have to guess that 85-90% of the people have no idea as to what is valuable or what is junk in the knife world.
I'm just now getting a taste of what is out there waiting to be found.

[Quick Steel]

Iain, Congratulations on your excellent finds.