129897_auctions-imperial-2018-arms-and-armor-november/
Lot 171:
Description
Of characteristic form, wrought entirely of silver and finely embossed and engraved with characteristic neoclassical motifs and a depiction of the Agia Kyriaki Monastery in Boutsounaria, Crete. The single-edged blade etched en suite with neoclassical scrollwork and a cross. Third quarter of the 19th c. Light wear. Overall length 29cm. Formerly in the collection of Samuel Gridley Howe M.D. (1801-1876,) noted American abolitionist. Inspired by Lord Byron, Howe sailed for Greece in 1824, where he fought for three years against the Ottomans at Missolonghi, Crete and other locations, assisting Alexandros Mavrokordatos, among other Greek patriots. Howe returned to Crete in 1866-67 to assist refugees during the Cretan Revolution, running an Ottoman blockade in order to do so; he was likely presented the dagger at that time. In November 1866, over 900 Cretans took refuge in the Agia Kyriaki Monastery, only one quarter of these were armed; most were women and children. On November 8, the Ottomans attacked the monastery but were repelled with heavy losses and began reducing its walls by cannon fire. On November 9, only the munitions chamber and a few other rooms still stood. The patriot Konstantinos Giaboudakis gathered all of the Cretan refugees into the munitions chamber and told them he planned to ignite the powder kegs when the Ottomans broke through. He offered them a final chance to attempt an escape on their own; all remained. When the Ottomans arrived at the doors, Giaboudakis touched off the powder kegs, killing hundreds of Ottoman soldiers, and all of the remaining Cretans.
Condition IV
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