Bronze plaques representing feline predators from Baraba and Kazakhstan

The article examines distinctive and almost identical figurines of predatory animals from different geographical regions. First figurine was found during the excavations at the burial ground of Abramovo-4 of the Sargatka culture in the forest-steppe region of the Ob-Irtysh interfluve. Although the exact parallels to this figurine were unknown for a long time, the general style of the artifact pointed to the pictorial traditions of the Western Sarmatian world. Decades later, three much worse preserved almost identical objects which might have also been a part of a composite belt set, were found in Western Kazakhstan. The features ofthe entire series of artifacts known so far are described and compared with each other; conclusions about possible raw material of the template used as a stamp for mold manufacturing are made based on possible marks from the working tool. Some distortions in the outline and proportions of the figurines point to the secondary nature of molds where the figurines from Western Kazakhstan were cast. The distribution of uniform small plastic objects makes it possible to establish the direction of cultural relations in a closer cultural environment than the one which existed within the boundaries of the Scythian community. The image appearing on the plaques is most likely generalized, and it is difficult to find its exact prototypes in the animal world. The serial nature of the artifacts raises the question of specific artisanal center and emergence of specialized artisanal production in the Early Iron Age.