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Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul
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Shoe buckles depicting a chariot drawn by dragons, 1st century A.D.
Afghanistan, Tillya Tepe, tomb IV
Gold and turquoise; H. 2/5 x Diam. 2 1/8 in. (1.1 x 5.5 cm)
National Museum of Afghanistan, Kabul, 04.40.383
Photo: © Thierry Ollivier / Musée Guimet
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The inlay of teardrop-shaped turquoise stones seen in these shoe buckles is typical of the manufacture of local Bactrian goldsmiths, but the motif of chariots drawn by dragons is exotic. The pattern on the side of the chariot suggests a woven material, and the uprights supporting the canopy look like bamboo. Such lightweight, two-wheeled chariots are known from excavations in Mongolia and from Han Chinese burials of the first century B.C., suggesting eastern origins for these motifs. The buckles show signs of wear and were probably used by the chieftain during his life.
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