Works of Art
Scythian Gold Animal in the Form of a Stag
Period: 4th – 3rd century B.C.
Culture: Scythian, Sarmatian, Avar
Category: Array
Dimensions: Length: 4.9cm, Weight: 19.6gr.
Price: POR
Provenance: Ex-Amercan private collection.
Condition: Superb condition. Intact with no traces of tear or wear.
Description
This magnificent stag is made of sheet gold of varying thickness finely worked in repoussé with separately inserted ears and antlers. The details are chased and the eye recesses were presumably originally filled with inlaid stones or, less likely, enamel, as were the crescentshaped recesses on the body. The head and neck were separately made and burnished and soldered into an opening in the top of the body.
A gold griffin appliqué from the Oxus Tresasur is closely related in form and detail.
Ali Aboutaam, Hicham Aboutaam
Bibliography
Published in:
- Sotheby’s, New York, Dec.14, 1994.
See also:
- MINNS E.H., “Scythians and Greeks”, New York, 1965, fig 176
- DALTON O.M., “The Treasure of the Oxus”, London, 1905, no.23