Origin of the Alans

[Alanus]

~Last Ride of The Hu Warrior: Part 2~

We now turn to bridle's forehead ornament. The piece is a lost wax casting designed "en face" or frontal, an unusual style (although there are Pazyryk examples). Most "Scythian" plaques were depicted in profile; and even fully rounded pieces were designed to be viewed from the side.


   
Here is the dealer's photo. The forehead piece is raptor-like, yet has ears and curved horns. Due to damage, we have only the left side intact. The raptor beak is hooked; and all Pazyryk and Saka examples also have a hooked beak.


   
To visualize the possible design of this bridle from a Hu warrior's horse, we can look at one of the bridle reconstructions on a Berel 11 horse. In this Berel example, we find two raptors, one at the forehead and another at the muzzle, both horned and with ears.


   
We have no idea why Saka/Scythian/Yuezhi raptors have ears (and often, horns) but they seem to represent a mythical gryphon-like animal. This Pazyryk example is fairly generic, cast in profile.


   
Our final photo shows the forehead ornament in my hand, giving an idea of its actual size. The piece is unique, and no images of nearly identical versions have been published. Since it's a lost-wax product, the probable maker was a Hu craftsman from the Northern Zone in the Yinshan and Helanshan areas. He would be a member of either the Lin-hu, Loufan, or Yuezhi. This Hu warrior wasn't particularly rich, yet affluent enough to purchase bridle fittings from a skilled bronze craftsman.

Stay tuned for the bridle's nose or muzzle piece, an object that might have links to Fu Hao's culture.