Property from an Asian private collectionGold armlet decorated with Steppe culture narrativeNorthwest China, 1st century BC亞洲私人收藏中國西北部 公元前一世紀 瑞獸紋金手鐲或臂鐲 In the Eurasian Steppe, the availability of raw materials fostered a rich material culture, and facilitated a highly skilled craft culture, especially in gold. During the first century BC, a decorative 'animal style' became the most popular form of jewelry and ornamentation, as seen on this armlet. This style arose from the primary significance of hunting and herding in the history of Northern Asia.These traditional economies created ideologies centred around animals and nature, and it is here ancient cult beliefs like 'The Tree of Life' was originally seeded. Due to the importance of hunting and herding, the tree of life found in art was often a symbolic one, represented by the antlers of a deer, ram, or goat. Thus, upon the armlet, the horns of a symbolic caprid appear at either end of the band, and animals being chased by prey run towards the horns seeking refuge. This ancient ideology around animals and nature is deeply interlinked by ideas of regeneration and fertility. Thus, such a narrative taking place within this cyclical-shape, literally, presents the cycle of life.h. 4 cm, d. 8.5 cm; 135.9 grams来源: DescriptionProperty from an Asian private collectionGold armlet decorated with Steppe culture narrativeNorthwest China, 1st century BC亞洲私人收藏中國西北部 公元前一世紀 瑞獸紋金手鐲或臂鐲In the Eurasian Steppe, the availability of raw materials fostered a rich material culture, and facilitated a highly skilled craft culture, especially in gold. During the first century BC, a decorative 'animal style' became the most popular form of jewelry and ornamentation, as seen on this armlet. This style arose from the primary significance of hunting and herding in the history of Northern Asia.These traditional economies created ideologies centred around animals and nature, and it is here ancient cult beliefs like 'The Tree of Life' was originally seeded. Due to the importance of hunting and herding, the tree of life found in art was often a symbolic one, represented by the antlers of a deer, ram, or goat. Thus, upon the armlet, the horns of a symbolic caprid appear at either end of the band, and animals being chased by prey run towards the horns seeking refuge. This ancient ideology around animals and nature is deeply interlinked by ideas of regeneration and fertility. Thus, such a narrative taking place within this cyclical-shape, literally, presents the cycle of life.h. 4 cm, d.8.5 cm; 135.9 gramsCondition reportGood overall condition. Slight gold tarnishing in crevices of openwork animal designs.The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.