Shashka for comments

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hi Teodor,
I am not expert in shashkas, I have no one. I just give my I "hope fair-minded" standpoint.
The floral motive is Ottoman, but not the style which used to be used on mountings of scabbards. This is imitation of style, which, I think, was used on brocades and/or tiles during Ottoman period. That means (for me) that somebody repaired the scabbard of this Caucasian shashka in Turkey and he simply added motives which he liked. As far as the moon-like symbol showing teeth is concerned, this, I would guess, is pure fancy of the later owner, who wanted the blade to be "nicer" (I saw old blade of Cherkez kinjal, artsy decorated in similar way - with Turkish symbols (moon and star engraved and inlayed with gold) recently.
I don´t kow how old the shaskha is, but the new decorations maybe from thirties till now.
I am enclosing motives (but as I said - tiles and textile, no weapons) from the book "Authentic Turkish Designs"

Regards,
Martin