**First Time At Auction**

Russia, Western Siberia, Yamal Peninsula and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (District), Permian Animal Style / Early Viking Rus, ca. 5th to 10th century CE. A finely-stylized bronze pendant, created to emit a constant jingling sound and catch light when hanging from a hunter's belt. The form is of two horse's heads back to back, with finely-detailed manes and faces. Six multi-linked chains dangle from the six evenly-spaced loops along the lower edge of the horse-adorned portion, each terminating in a flattened, hourglass-shaped ornament. Size: 4.5" H (11.4 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.

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 like these horses. Who the makers of these beautiful pieces were is not fully understood yet, but they seem to have been inspired by the Scytho-Siberians who came before them, and the Vikings who they would have had contact with in the West.

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection

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#130073

Surface wear commensurate with age with one chain link terminating before its end panel. Light roughness with minor abrasions. Pretty green patina overall.