5th-4th century BC. A flat-section bronze mount in the form of the stylised beast-head with scrolled tendrils, mounting loop to reverse. 28 grams, 56mm (2 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Cf. Moorey, P.R.S. et al. Ancient Bronzes, Ceramics and Seals, Los Angeles, 1981, item 850. The Scythians were a nomadic tribal people who covered an area from modern day Kazakhstan to the Baltic coast of Poland and Georgia, but who were mostly centred on the Pontic-Caspian Steppe. Their characteristic art was produced between the seventh and the third centuries BC, after which they were displaced from most of their territory by the Sarmatians. In the earlier period Scythian art included very vigorously modelled stylised animal figures, such as this example, shown singly or in combat, that had a long-lasting and very wide influence on other Eurasian cultures as far apart as China and the European Celts.These animal figures often display contorted features that include a melding of several animals, and it is believed that they represent the shamanic belief in shape shifting.

Fine condition.