Ancient Ordos (Xiongnu) Early Mongolian Culture bronze deity amulet is a very unusual depiction of a hybrid horned owl with outstretched wings, saggy breasts and pot belly. It holds a snake in its beak and also with its arms/hands pushed backward to hold up both ends of the snake. Something between the legs, does it represent genitalia or just the bird's tail? Maybe it was a clan symbol? Fertility symbol?
The wonderful stylization of the Ordos or Xiongnu, later known as the Huns who were also connected culturally with the Scythians was advanced for its time & contains distinctively recognizable design elements which lend fluidity to the entire composition. Most Ordos works featured animals & nature. In studying works of the Scythians, there appears to be a definite intercultural affinity & carry-over of the design stylizations, especially in the representation of the animals.
As excavated with appropriate verdigris corrosion of the bronze and earthen deposits. Nice intact specimen with no cracks or losses. There is a self loop at top for hanging as a pendant.
~2-1/2" L x 2-1/4" W. From approx. 6th to 2nd C BC. includes the probable time range for this item's original creation and use.