Russia, Perm region, Perm Animal Style (Permian Animal Style), ca. 5th to 11th centuries CE. A cast bronze, large pendant or amulet in the form of a person riding a horse. The horse is given more details than the person, with lightly raised dots forming a border along its back and suggesting elaborate reins and tack. Three raised dots on the haunches form a triangle, an inversion of a common Viking symbol. The end of the nose and tail flow into a long, thin curve that the horse stands upon, forming areas where the pendant could have been sewn onto something or attached to a belt. Comes with custom stand. Size: 3.3" W x 2.6" H (8.4 cm x 6.6 cm); height on stand: 3.25" (8.3 cm)
The Perm Animal Style is associated with a loosely culturally connected group of people known as the Finno-Ugric peoples who lived in west central Siberia, from modern day Perm north to the Arctic Sea. They freely took artistic influence from those who came before them, like the Scytho-Siberians, and from colonists from the west, like the Vikings, but developed their own clear style that archaeologists know from graves scattered throughout the taiga. Although nearly all of our knowledge comes from grave goods, these items seem to have been extensively used in life based upon wear patterns (unlike some other cultures, where goods were produced solely to be placed in graves). They were probably worn on the belt of their owner in life, at a time (which continued into the medieval European period) when flashing, jingling decoration was in fashion.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
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#122702
Condition
Small break on lower part of the pendant. Details on the surface are still visible. Patina on surface.