Thraco-Scythian Belt Buckle with Stylised Animal

5th-4th century BC. A bronze zoomorphic fitting with openwork body formed as a stylised animal (wild dog or wolf) running right, gaping jaw, ears flat to head, tail held close to body, detailing to jaw, eye, ear, body, legs and paws; remains of hook and loop to reverse. See Marazov, I., Thracian Warrior, Sofia, 2005, for identical pieces from Apollonia and North-East Bulgaria on p.61. 28 grams, 83mm (3 1/4"). Property of a gentleman from Vienna; from his private collection; previously acquired in Munich, Germany, between 1992 and 1996. These buckles, shaped as the figure of a lying wild dog or wolf, have been widely found in the regions of ancient Thracian territories. They underline the warrior function of both the object and the animal: for the Thracians, this animal duplicated the mythical-ritual image of the warrior himself and also served as part of the warrior’s belt. For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price [No Reserve]
Condition Report: Fair condition.