**First Time At Auction**

Western Asia, Scythian culture, ca. mid-1st millennium BCE. An enticing pair of gold applique plaques, each displaying lively repousse images of a lion attacking a deer. The ferocious feline curves its body in an almost circular fashion as it completes its pounce, clawing the ungulate's hindquarters with its back legs and biting just below the deer's neck. In response, the recumbent prey raises its head dramatically, crying out in agony. All is surrounded by a decorative, striped border, as well as 4 petite perforations for attachment. Depictions of predatory felines and ungulate quarry are central to the art of the Scythians whose world was nomadic and pastoral, intimately connected to the lives of animals, and vulnerable to predators and the elements. Size (both about the same): 1.4" W x 1.2" H (3.6 cm x 3 cm); metal quality: 78% gold (equivalent to over 18 karats), 15% silver, & 5% copper; total weight: 2.6 grams

The Scythians are famous for their goldwork, and rightly so; hoards of their treasures have been found throughout eastern and central Europe and western and central Asia. Scholars have posited that these hoards may represent gifts for foreign rulers, votive offerings, or treasures buried and forgotten. Other gold artifacts from this culture are found in their incredibly rich graves. According to Scythian tradition, warriors (both male and female) were buried alongside their servants and horses, with weapons, harnesses, and personal adornments in order to provide for them in the afterlife.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#177843

One has a minor hairline tear to top periphery and another small tear with folding to lower right corner. Both have slight bending to form but are otherwise intact and excellent with impressive preservation of repousse imagery and detail.