Description:

Russia, Western Siberia, Yamal Peninsula and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (District), Permian Animal Style / Early Viking Rus, ca. 5th to 10th century CE. A finely-stylized bronze pendant, created to emit a constant jingling sound and catch light when hanging from a hunter's belt. The form is of two horse's heads back to back, with finely-detailed manes and faces. This pendant would have originally had a petite orb-shaped bell hanging from each of six multi-linked chains dangling from six evenly-spaced loops along the lower edge of the horse-adorned portion. Size: 4.5" H (11.4 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.

These objects are rare outside of the Russian world, and nearly all of the information published about them is in Russian. They often include stylized human figures and animal iconography like these horses. Who the makers of these beautiful pieces were is not fully understood yet, but they seem to have been inspired by the Scytho-Siberians who came before them, and the Vikings who they would have had contact with in the West.

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection

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#129329

  • Condition: Surface wear commensurate with age with one chain link and bell missing. Light roughness with minor abrasions, and green patina throughout.

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December 20, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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