8th C. Russian White Bronze Pendant W/ Birds, Bells - Mar 02, 2017 | Artemis Gallery In Co
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8th C. Russian White Bronze Pendant w/ Birds, Bells

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8th C. Russian White Bronze Pendant w/ Birds, Bells
8th C. Russian White Bronze Pendant w/ Birds, Bells
Item Details
Description
Russia, Western Siberia, Yamal Peninsula and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (District), 8th to 10th century CE. A beautiful and well-preserved pendant, probably made to be attached to a belt or a saddle. It consists of three birds, one standing over the other two, and four bells dangling off chains from the feet of the two lower birds. The birds have a high level of cast detail, as do the bells. This is made of white bronze (a copper alloy with a high percentage of tin). Throughout medieval Europe and Asia, people desired items that glittered or made noise to wear as part of fashion; they draw the eye and also demonstrate the wealth of the wearer. Size: 1.5" W x 3.5" H (3.8 cm x 8.9 cm)

In western Siberia during the Bronze Age, which there extended into what we in the west think of as the medieval period, there were sanctuaries in the forest where archaeologists and local people have found evidence of bronze and silver smelting, as well as bronze and silver artifacts. These sanctuaries seem to have accumulated, over many generations, metal gifts left to the spirits who patronized them. These sanctuaries played a role in local life into the early 20th century, with many people being afraid of disturbing the ancient metal items within; accounts of archaeological expeditions into the 1980s include much information on what superstitious activities the scientists had to go through before local informants would take them to sites. These objects are rare outside of the Russian world, and nearly all of the information published about them is in Russian. They often include stylized human figures and animal iconography. For humans, there is heavy emphasis in depiction placed on certain parts of the body, like eyes and hands; animals seem to be more naturalistically drawn (although not entirely). The relationship between this kind of artistic expression and that of the Perm Animal Style (also Permian Animal Style) is not currently known, but they were contemporaneous and geographically close, and have many of the same elements. These people may also have been inspired by the Scytho-Siberians who came before them, and the Vikings who they could have had contact with in the west.

Provenance: Ex-LA County Collection formed bewteen 1980 and 2000

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#117344
Condition
Excellent. Clear design elements and clear details, all components present, no repairs or restoration.
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8th C. Russian White Bronze Pendant w/ Birds, Bells

Estimate $2,000 - $3,000
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Starting Price $1,000
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Artemis Gallery

Artemis Gallery

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