Ornamentation
Personal ornamentation was one of the primary purposes of bronze pieces in the Eurasian steppe region, and includes everything from buckle-plaques to yoke ornaments to fittings and finials. These objects needed to be easily worn by the person or animal that had to carry them, sometimes for very long distances, during their daily lives. Ornamentation was the easiest way to indicate rank and status, and often the size and intricacy of the bronze-work would indicate higher status individuals. Many of these pieces possess zoomorphic and geometric designs that might even refer to political, social, and even economic motifs and struggles among the steppe people through these often violent scenes that are displayed.
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