6th-2nd century BC. A gilt bronze openwork buckle plate depicting two ox confronting one another and with heads turned and facing forward; horns arching upwards and tufts of fur to the body; tail arching over the back of the body. 233 grams, 12.5cm (5"). Property of a London collector; by inheritance from his grandfather; acquired during travels in the Far East in the 1920s. The Ordos culture shares many similarities to the Scythian, being a nomadic group of people in the far North of China, mainly Inner Mongolia, indeed they are thought to be the easternmost people of Scythian affinity to have settled here, just to the east of the better-known Yuezhi.. The horse was of central importance to these nomadic peoples, as was the herding of animals such as deer. The natural world played a important part in their culture, both economically and spiritually, as the Shamanic beliefs held by them saw the natural world as inhabited by animal spirits. Along with the Scythians they enjoyed an ostentatious display of jewellery and weapons and were buried in kurgan burial mounds along with their possessions.

Very fine condition.