A Russian silver damascened berdiche, 16th/17th century The large axe blade with a strongly curved cutting edge, the lower edge riveted to the shaft. Semi-circular socket with a small flat hammer head on the back. Both sides of the blade with finely silver damascened, decorative tendrils on a finely chased background. A pattern of scales on the side of the socket, scrolling bands on the hammer head. Considerably shortened octagonal shaft, slight worm damage. The sides with finely carved ornamentation of galloping horses amidst floral tendrils, two lions and leafy vines on the back. Length of the blade 36 cm, total length 68 cm. Provenance: Illustrated and described in the catalogue of the Charles Buttin collection, (no. 575), Rumilly, France 1933. Condition: II -