A 19th century master carved this chain manually from a solid wooden bar. It consists of seventy-three round links connected to each other. At the end of the chain, there is a ring decorated with a figure of a fox, a dog or a wolf. Historians designate such figures as Bashkir generic symbols called tamgas.

Archaeological finds suggest that tamga-like signs on ceramics were used in the Bronze and Early Iron Age, and the walls of the caves in the Southern Urals still retain some geometrical ornaments. One of the most ancient mentions of Turkic tamgas dates back to the 5th century, when they were used to stamp cattle.

In the 19th century, the tamga became a social status symbol for the Bashkirs, and was passed on from father to son as a sign of belonging to a certain clan. Depending on the owner’s taste and wallet, a variety of materials were used to make the clan mark. Tamgas were mostly carved from wood, as Bashkortostan was rich in vast birch and linden forests.

The Bashkir woodcarving craft has deep roots. Over time, it transformed into a handicraft industry and reached the level of a decorative art. In addition to sculptural and relief carving, artisans were skilled in making utensils and sculptures from burled birch wood, also called burls. The artisans developed certain patterns for woodwork decorations. Ornamental and relief carvings were mostly used to decorate saddles, stirrups and sets of utensils for serving the traditional drink kumis to guests. The utensils included carved ladles (izhau), kegs (tepeny) and thin-walled bowls (ayak, aldyr).