The “Sadovy” kurgan is located on the outskirts of Novocherkassk. Archaeologists began studying it in 1962. “Sadovy” was part of a larger burial site, known as the Khokhlach complex. During excavations, a burial chamber was discovered beneath the mound that had been looted a very long time ago. However, several items have survived. These include a silver louterion — a vessel for ablutions, as well as parts of horse harnesses, gold plaques, and silver bowls.
A phalera, or horse brass, is a plaque used for decorating horse harnesses. Phalerae are discs on a silver or bronze base, covered with a gold plate with embossed designs. The phalerae on display feature stylized images of panthers being tormented by griffins.
The head of the cat-like predator is clearly distinguishable in the center of each phalera. There also is a griffin’s head with a massive beak, as well as a stylized wolf’s head and animal paws. The eyes, ears, hips and ends of the paws are inlaid with beads made of turquoise, coral and glass paste. There is a layer of special mastic between the base of the phalera and the gold foil that is necessary for better preservation of the relief image. The gold phalerae are crafted in the Sarmatian polychrome animal style. They were most likely produced in workshops of the Bosporan Kingdom.
One of the key stylistic features of the polychrome style is the combination of gold, bronze, and multicolored inlays of ornamental stones such as carnelian, almandite, garnet, and turquoise, along with the inclusion of colored glass inserts. In ancient times, glass paste was considered equivalent to the most precious materials, thus, in the presence of such additional decorations, gold gained even greater value.
Artifacts in the Sarmatian polychrome animal style are represented by a diverse range of items, including torcs, bracelets, buckles, belt and sewn-on plates, vials, decorative phalerae from horse harnesses, and other objects. Typically, all items in this style feature depictions of artiodactyls, such as deer and elk, as well as mountain goats and predators like wolves, and even fantastical creatures.
