Silver Horse Harness Adornments from Suzukteh Burial Mound 20 (Noin Ula, Mongolia)

Silver Horse Harness Adornments from Suzukteh Burial Mound 20 (Noin Ula, Mongolia)

N.V. Polosmak, E.S. Bogdanov, D. Tseveendorj, and N. Erdene-Ochir.

During excavations of burial mound 20 at Noin Ula, 32 silver adornment pieces from horse reins were discovered in the burial. The adornments show representations of fantastic animals executed in the tradition of ancient Chinese art. Unicorn and dragon images are of special interest, both of which are very rarely found in Xiongnu monuments. It is possible that this adornment set was a gift from the imperial court to the Xiongnu.

Keywords: Xiongnu, silver adornment, horse harness, unicorn, Han period.