Caucasian Shashka from Dagestan: Question

Interested Party · 6th May 2026, 09:26 PM

I am surprised that this thread did not generate more comments. It certainly deserves to be thoroughly discussed. Gustav, I always thought that this forum had been rich in Caucasian and central Asian experts and had only recently lost the last ones due to irreconcilable differences of opinion.

I saw this and I thought Vladikavkaz as a production center. No real evidence to back this opinion, just felt right.

Another thing that I felt is that with the curve of the blade it could not be carried edge up shashka style. This makes me think that the original owner may have been a Turk or Russian.

The inlay decoration is interesting. Asymmetrical patterns of concentric circles, does anyone know if this pattern be an example of maharani motif? Or is maharani only a term for niello decorations? The shape of the tendrils and the silhouette of the leaves seem atypical in a way I cannot express as to what cultures influence shaped the way it is drawn.

I have a couple pages out of Rivkin that I will try to scan and post later that describe different blade types that this blade could belong to.

It is a very pretty sword.

6th May 2026, 09:26 PM	#11
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 532	I am surprised that this thread did not generate more comments. It certainly deserves to be thoroughly discussed. Gustav, I always thought that this forum had been rich in Caucasian and central Asian experts and had only recently lost the last ones due to irreconcilable differences of opinion. I saw this and I thought Vladikavkaz as a production center. No real evidence to back this opinion, just felt right. Another thing that I felt is that with the curve of the blade it could not be carried edge up shashka style. This makes me think that the original owner may have been a Turk or Russian. The inlay decoration is interesting. Asymmetrical patterns of concentric circles, does anyone know if this pattern be an example of maharani motif? Or is maharani only a term for niello decorations? The shape of the tendrils and the silhouette of the leaves seem atypical in a way I cannot express as to what cultures influence shaped the way it is drawn. I have a couple pages out of Rivkin that I will try to scan and post later that describe different blade types that this blade could belong to. It is a very pretty sword.