Axe (Balta)

The decoration of this ceramic shield was based on the axe of the Crimean Khanate of the 16-17th centuries. It is kept at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (USA). The steel axe is decorated with gilt engraving, floral ornaments and symbols. The S-shaped ornaments representing water, the crescent moon, and the composition of three mihrab arches are basic Muslim symbols found in Crimean Tatar architecture, painting and applied art. The circle with curved L-shaped elements symbolises the rotating sun. Framed by several other smaller circles, it resembles the composition typical of topelik, the top of traditional women's headdress – fes. The sun symbol is surrounded by combinations of mihrab arches. At the end of the axe there is another sun symbol made up of triangles and motifs of the Crimean Tartar flower – cotton thistle, and almonds. This symbolism is used for the ornamental design of talismans. The whole composition has been interpreted as symbolizing protection, and is typical of Crimean Tatar ornamentation. 

The ceramic shield was created based on the idea of the central sun. The triangles around it form a hexagram. The main colour of the work is blue and the filling of the ornament echoes the golden colour of the original axe. Mihrab elements frame the composition. This geometric combination is related to the medieval cultural context of the Crimean Khanate.