Early Byzantine Elements of Prestigious Horse Harness with Cloisonné Inlaid Decoration in the Post-Hunnic Period (Eastern Europe, Danube Area, and Eurasian Steppes)

Abstract

The elements of prestigious horse tack of the Early Byzantine origin, decorated with cloisonné inlay style decor, have long been identified among the steppe nomads of the Post-Hunnic Period (the so-called Shipovo horizon from the second third of the fifth to the second third of the sixth centuries), as well as among the sedentary barbarians in Eastern and Central Europe. These finds include disc-shaped badges or plaques or appliques, rectangular belt-ends, and horse bits with zoomorphic images. Now it is difficult to infer specific mechanisms for the distribution of prestigious early Byzantine artefacts in the Barbaricum in the Post-Hunnic Period. It looks like that apart from the usual military trophies these items could have been included in diplomatic gifts. Written sources testify to specific cases of donation of horse accessories (saddles) to barbarian leaders. Along with weapons, these artefacts could also be obtained as a result of a symbolic investment of the Empire’s allies on behalf of the emperor. The hypothesis of making the artefacts in the cloisonné inlay style directly in the Barbaricum seems less probable, though the presence there of craftsmen including those who knew the technique of the Constantinople jewellery “school” is quite possible. However, it should be remembered that the technique of sawing and processing precious stones was particularly complex and was owned by a very limited number of craftsmen. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of barbarian jewellery pieces from the Hunnic and Post-Hunnic Periods used the secondary-used stones, in contrast to the case of the finds in steppe, like those from Morskoi Chulek, Bylym-Kudinetovo, Ialpug, or Altynkazgan. Rather, the latter were made in the Mediterranean workshops.