Scythian Bronze Openwork Amulet

Culture: Ordos

Period: 5th-4th century B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 7 cm x 4.1 cm

Price: 1 400 Euro

Ref: 5089

Provenance: New York private collection, acquired approximately 20 years ago on the English art market. Lastly in a New York auction house.

Condition: Intact

Description: Bronze openwork amulet or belt applique depicting a stylized feline predator with large ears, almond-shaped eyes and a long tail, curled at the end. The mouth of the animal is open and holds the head of a smaller animal, possibly a doe in its clutches. The doe tries to escape the attack with its widely stretched back neck. The four legs of the big animal form a basis. Tail and basis decorated with notches in cold work. On the back of the feline predator an eyelet for suspension or mount. Bronzes such as this one are attributed to the so-called Ordos culture, named after the Ordos plateau in the south of inner Mongolia. From 6th to 2nd century B.C. this region was under the Caucasian influence, during this period the most eastern Scythian tribe might have settled there. For comparison see the depiction in T. Demirjian, “Treasures of the Eurasian Steppes - Animal Art from 800 BC to 200 AD“, exhibition catalogue, New York, 1998, page 110, number 114.