Fibula-brooch with pendants from the barrow studied in the northern surrounding areas of cherkessk

Introduction. The article is devoted to characterizing the decorative features of the fibula-brooch discovered during the study of the mound in the northern surrounding areas of Cherkessk (territory of the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia) and stored in the collection of the Stavropol State Museum. The aim of the publication is to introduce the poorly known scientific material into scientific use. A full set of illustrations and accurate measurements will further avoid confusion with the description of the specific artifact (in existing publications there are no drawings; conclusions are based only on photos). Explanations relate to the history of the brooch and details of its decoration. Methods. The comparative typological method is used as a working one. It is based on the classification by material, processing method, form, ornamentation, as well as identifying and studying types of brooches with pendants. The comparative analysis of the decor of the brooch from the Stavropol museum and similar brooches with pendants found in the western part of the North Caucasus shows the variety of polychrome decoration production technologies in the region in the 3rd - 1st centuries BC: preserving the traditions of Bosporan jewelry art; distribution of the elements of Colchian toreutics. Analysis. The paper considers design features of brooches from the Stavropol museum and monuments of the Western Ciscaucasia: details of zoomorphic figurines; characteristics of caste design; wire inlay; form and features of enamel inserts; character of pendant weaving and features of the design of suspended discs. Results. In the production of hollow zoomorphic images of the 3rd - 1st century BC there were two lines of development: 1) simplified modeling of figurines modeled on the pattern of Colchian products of the 5th - 4th centuries BC (Psenafa and others); 2) continuation of the tradition of producing jewelry with enamel (brooch from the mound in the land of Rodina state farm). In the first case, the simplicity and negligence of execution evidence established local production of imitations of Colchian images. In the second case, elegance of images and refinement of execution emphasize the creation of brooches of Karachay-Cherkessia in one of the centers of Bosporus toreutics which was under the influence of Colchian jewelry.