Ornamentation of Bronze Lamellar Headpieces from the Sites in the Central Ciscaucasia Dated to the Second Half of the 4th — the First Half of the 2nd Century BC: types of decoration and techniques of execution

Abstract

The article analyzes the decorative features of lamellar headpieces for horses from sites in the Central Ciscaucasia, dating from the second half of the 4th to the first half of the 2nd centuries BC. The identified types of ornamentation include: zoomorphic motifs; punchwork; engraved (and impact-incised) straight lines; rows of semicircular (crescent-shaped) impressions; the “running wave” motif; compass-drawn designs; dotted decoration (pointillist technique), relief figures; cutout elements; and openwork lattice patterns. The analysis of imagery on the bronze plates suggests the existence of two potential centers of ornamentation: 1) Classical workshops, which produced Type I and II plates as well as cheekpieces. These featured compass-drawn ornamentation with molded convex centers (and concentric ridges), and type III headpieces decorated with engraved lines (in some cases applied using rotary tools), semicircular indentations and punchwork); 2) local bronze-casting workshops, where imported Type I plates were further embellished with dotted patterns, and Type III plates were decorated with complex compositions of pointillist motifs, engraved and impact-incised designs, and supplemented with chased relief figures. Openwork headpieces were cast using composite molds. The decorative process employed a variety of specialized chasing tools with prepared working edges — blade-like, blunted, burin-shaped, miniature-spherical, flat, domed, hollow (with vertically cut edges), and needle-pointed. A compass with a sharpened outer rod was also used. Bronze sheets were trimmed using chisels.