˜A FINE CAUCASIAN SILVER-GILT AND GOLD-INLAID IVORY-MOUNTED PRESENTATION SABRE (SHASQA)

˜A FINE CAUCASIAN SILVER-GILT AND GOLD-INLAID IVORY-MOUNTED PRESENTATION SABRE (SHASQA), CIRCA 1860-90, PROBABLY KUBACHI with curved fullered blade incised with a stylised running wolf mark on each face, cut with a brief inscription on the back-edge (chemically cleaned), marine ivory hilt of characteristic form, retained by three iron rivets and with bifurcated eared pommel (small cracks, one pommel ear reattached), profusely inlaid with gold scrollwork and silver ribband (small losses, lifting in places), in its wooden scabbard, the inner face covered with green velvet, the outer encased in marine ivory en suite with the hilt (small age cracks), the top panel with a gold-inlaid calligraphic cartouche, silver-gilt mounts chased with foliage, comprising locket, upper mount, middle-band and chape, the two central bands with a loop for suspension, and complete with its silver bullion belt with gilt-brass mounts en suite 82.0 cm; 32 1/4 in blade Provenance The Margrave and Grand Duke of Baden, sold Sotheby's Baden-Baden, 5th - 21st October 1995, lot 2659. The inscription in the cartouche reads, in translation 'It's owner Chuchuzyazkan(?)'.