Antique Art and Weaponry Sale, May 30, 2020
Lot 195:
A very rare example of Georgian-made shashka of the end of the 19th century. This shashka has a spectacular German 19th century blade decorated with gold etching and gilding. This rare blade has a representation of the sun, the crescent moon, and the code of arms. The blade is forged steel with multigroove doles with a mirror finish surface. This type of German blade was named Abbas Mirza on Caucus (E.G. Astvatsaturyan, p. 86)The large high -quality grip is made of silver. The style attributes to mostly Georgian region in the end of the 19 th century. (E.G. Astvatsaturyan, 2016, pp. 413) The design consists of polishing, buffing, engraving niello, filigree, false granulation, and gilding. Similar style grips were made in Tiflis by Georgian craftsmen. As an example, please refer to page 414 in Caucasian Arms.The sheath is made of wood and covered with leather (everything is old, without restoration).The middle bracket is made of silver and matches the grip design.We know that there was a small order of these high-quality German 19th century blades” made specifically for Caucasian market. We know only one more example that exists with a similar design by Georgian craftsmen. This Shashka represents one of the most lavish examples of the end of the 19th century craftsmanship. Shashka is 37 3/4", blade is 31 3/4".
Share this lot:
