Universe (Dünya)
The shield is based on the scabbard ornamentation of a sword from the 16th-17th centuries in a private collection. It is a rare example of decoration reflecting the style of Crimean masters. The thin, gently curved swords originated in the Ottoman Empire and immediately spread throughout the Crimean Khanate, but Ottoman and Crimean swords differ slightly. The gold details with silver inlays and the rich decoration indicate that they were the attribute of noble Crimean soldiers. The sword is engraved with waves, pressed ornaments and blackening. Three tulips seem to form a mihrab, a place in the mosque indicating the direction to Mecca. The zoomorphic image of the ram's horns is complemented by floral ornaments: blossoms of cotton thistle and clove pinks, also by eight-leafed flowers. Such blossoms are a common ornament in the works of Crimean masters.
The composition of the ceramic shield features a central eight-petalled flower with tulip ornaments around it. In addition to these, the decoration is based on horn motifs, and the whole is similar to the original. It is reminiscent of the universe, with purple as its main colour, the colour of the deceitfulness of earthly life. Meanwhile, green is considered in Islamic tradition to be the sacred colour of the gardens of paradise and nature.
