“Manchurian-Mongolian” bows from the National Museum of the Republic of Buryatia

The article presents the results of the study of a series of items from the National Museum of the Republic of Buryatia, attributed by authors as having a “Manchurian-Mongolian” design. For the research, the author’s method based on the analysis of the general geometry and the morphological features of the entire product was used. It can also be used to supplement the traditional typological analysis based on the division of items according to the shape of the horn and bone details on a surface of a bow and their position on the wooden part of the bow. The results of the analysis allows detecting, in a bulk of the collection, 4 items identified by their design and decorative features as the Manchurian differ from local original Buryat items. The article provides a detailed description of bows, their sizes, their main dimensions and specifications. Such items are characterized by significant differences in thickness and width in various functional areas; shoulders curved in the direction of the back of the bow; long transition zones between elastic shoulders and ends formed by an additional rib on the back of the bow; long end stiffness zones. The nature of the decor and the materials used (including stingray leather) testifies to the Chinese origin of the two items. The other two are probably local variants of the Manchurian design. One of the Chinese products can be interpreted as a children's bow based on its parameters and dimensions. The item features testify to the genetic connection of designs of all items and actualize further research in local and chronological features of traditional bows in various Asian territories.