Falcon (Şahin)
This shield is based on the 18th-century sword called the "Chechuga", which belonged to the last Crimean khan, Şahin Giray. Such swords, with a small cross-shaped guard and an open hilt, were made by local craftsmen in the territory of the Crimean Khanate. Later, they spread among the Cossacks of Ukraine, Ottoman soldiers and in Central Europe. The sword is decorated with gilded silver plates, engraved and blackened ornaments of floral motifs: a rhombus-framed tulip, cotton thistle, flowers, curved branches of plants, ovals with engraved lines. The blade bears the maker's mark and gilt inscriptions in Arabic.
The ceramic shield is decorated with a composition of ornaments with a four-leaf clover in the centre. Around it are six tulips reminding the shape of falcons in flight. The main background colour is blue – the colour of heaven and of divine grace, while the ornamental details are in black, echoing the technique of blackening technique.
