Artwork preview

Harness Ornament with Raptors and Carnivores

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Harness ornament with raptors and carnivores, a silver artifact with gold embellishments. The ornament is long and horizontal. The silver base has a darkened patina with visible signs of wear and tear. The top and bottom edges are wavy and feature short, parallel lines. The main body contains stylized depictions of animals. The left side shows a creature with a long snout, resembling a raptor or carnivore, while the right side features a bird-like creature. Gold embellishments throughout the piece add detail to the animals and the frame. The gold details include curled tendrils and decorative lines along the edges. Two circular cutouts are on the left side, one of which is within the curled gold embellishment. The ornament presents a striking contrast between the darkened silver and shiny gold. The background of the image is a plain light purple color.

Artwork Details

Date
late 5th–4th century BCE
Medium
Silver with gilded details
Culture
Bulgaria
Dimensions
600 × 466 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette