Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia 50 (4) 2022   doi:10.17746/1563-0110.2022.50.4.083-090

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Star-Shaped Pendants from the Perm Region, Western Urals:
Hunnic Polychrome Ornaments Reanimated

N.B. Krylasova and Y.A. Podosenova

Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenina 13a, Perm, 614990, Russia

The set of personal ornaments of the Lomovatka culture, western Urals (AD 800-1000), includes star-shaped pendants with a copper or silver plate as a base decorated by medallions with inserts, bordered by gold elements with granulation and filigree and by silver details with filigree and embossment. Analysis of the items suggests that the central medallions of such pendants significantly differ from the other constructive elements such as the base, stamped silver wire, and embossed tripartite rosettes, not only in the composition of the metal, but also in terms of technical sophistication of the medallions—the use of fine filigree, calibrated fine granulation, cabochons, etc. Other elements of star-shaped pendants include pegs having no practical function. It was found that the central medallions with inserts were once part of other personal ornaments. For secondary use, they were soldered to the base in their final form. The search for parallels has led to the conclusion that these elements were parts of ornaments of the 5th-6th century polychrome style. Their exact source remains a mystery, but local jewelers made excellent use of them by setting them off with silver. Star-shaped pendants are rather standard, they are few in number, and the time of their manufacture was likely limited. Judging by the burials, they were used as women’s pectoral ornaments.

Keywords: Middle Ages, Perm Region, western Urals, Lomovatka culture, star-shaped pendants, jewelry techniques, Hunnic polychrome style