Eurasian Steppe Bronzes

Title

Eurasian Steppe Bronzes

Identifier

Eurasian Bronzes

Subject

Ancient Bronzes from the Eurasian Steppe Cultures

Description

Marked by a plethora of nomadic groups and rapidly rising and falling empires, the Eurasian Steppes are known for their creation of highly artistic and well-rendered bronzes.

Date

Approximately 1300 B.C.E. to 100 C.E.

Type

Collection of objects and information on various Eurasian bronzes

Date Created

3/5/2019

Date Modified

3/5/19

Collection Items

Fitting: Vehicle fitting with recumbent ram with wooden base
A bronze fitting in the form of a simply-modeled recumbent ram with its legs folded underneath its body; it has ribbed horns which curl around the ears and eyes ending near the top of the muzzle; the tail of the animal curves to the proper right…

Finial with ram head and bell with wooden base
A bronze finial comprising a long tubular socket that curves to terminate in a bovine head with open mouth; two horns with parallel curved marks extend outward from either side of the animal's head; a small conical bell suspends from a loop beneath…

Ornament: Belt ornament of two stylized bird heads
A small belt ornament in a figure-eight shape, made up of two stylized bird heads, their curving necks flowing seamlessly from one to another; the necks are marked by a pattern of parallel raised crescents, suggesting feathers; they have hooked…

Belt plaque
A belt plaque of a standing tiger, with head turned back and paws displaying prominent claws; the figure of the tiger is surrounded by five gazelle heads- three bordering its back and hindquarters, one under its belly, and one against its chest; the…

Rattle ornament with six jingles
A circular openwork ornament composed of three concentric rings with six rattles attached around the upper two-thirds of its perimeter; each rattle is made up of a pair of hemispheres joined like a partially open clam; there is an openwork brace or…

Short sword with two inverted bird heads on pommel
A short sword with a pommel, formed by two stylized bird heads that are inverted and placed back to back; the guard is formed by two additional bird heads placed back to back; the hilt of the sword is flat, with rounded edges and two longitudinal…

Fitting: Curved fitting with jingles
A bronze bow-shaped fitting; each arm of the fitting curves in a narrow arch terminating at a four-strap arch that jingles when the object is moved; the central section of the fitting is hollow and is decorated with an empty cell possibly once…

Knife with two-ring pommel
A knife with an openwork troughed hilt with five oval holes- each with a thin raised border- and a pommel formed by two fused rings; the transition from blade to hilt is marked only by a small projecting point on the knife.

Adze blade: Socketed adze blade
A socketed adze blade with two raised ribs encircling the socket; the blade is elongated and flares slightly at the end of the blade; the blade is otherwise un-adorned.

Knife with ring-pommel
A knife with a ring-shaped pommel and a prominent raised ridge between the hilt and the blade; the hilt is decorated with a raised linear design, consisting of three pairs of parallel lines running longitudinally to the length of the knife.
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