Pages: 239-262

The article explores one of the product categories that are widespread in the Golden Horde — lamellar bracelets of gold and silver. Special attention is paid to bracelets with the image of the animal mask on the endings. These bracelets are called lionheads or “Bulgarian type” bracelets. The author comes to the conclusion that the mask on these bracelets does not mean a lion or a tiger, but is a generic image-symbol that developed in Central Asia in the 11th—12th centuries. It combines the features of the image of a lion, dragon and tiger. This symbol was perceived as a talisman. The author systematized the finds of precious metal bracelets, examining more than 50 artifacts from the collections of museums in Tatarstan. Artifacts from the collections of the State Hermitage and the State Historical Museum were also attracted. According to the author, a part of these products was imported, and a part was made in Bulgar following the specimens from Iran and other areas of the Golden Horde. They were most common in the second half of the 14th century. The author describes systematic features for dating these bracelets.

Keywords: Middle Volga region, Golden Horde, Bulgar Ulus, bracelets of “Bulgarian type”, zoomorphic decor, typology, dating

Information about author:

Konstantin Rudenko (Kazan, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. Kazan State University of Culture and Arts. Orenburgsky Trakt St., 3, Kazan, 420059, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]