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LOT 1052
Volga-Bulgar Archer's Arm Guard
CIRCA 10TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/2 in. (20.2 grams, 90 mm).
An oval silver plate decorated with an intertwined design formed of flowers inside a double circle framed by a wavy design; pierced to the sides for fastening. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1990s.
From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
Cf. Fedorova, N.V., ‘Volga Bulgaria Silver of the 10th-14th centuries (on materials of the Trans-Urals collections)’ in Compareti, Raffetta, Scarcia, (ed.), Eran ud Aneran, Studies presented to B. Marshak on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday, Venezia, 2006, figs.10-11.
FootnotesDecorated bow string protection plates were developed by Steppe people and widespread among the Volga-Bulgarian warriors, often decorated with niello. These protective plates were fastened with straps on the wrist to protect the lower arm from the blows of the bow tendons. In addition to the bone plaques used by the Khazars, precious silver specimens from the territory of the Volga Bulgars have been preserved, including finds from Zauralia and Western Siberia. A protective plaque decorated with mythological scenes also comes from Bilär (11th-12th century A.D.) Similar plaques with simpler decorations have been found in the region of Prikamye (10th-14th century A.D.).
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