Copper hair picks from Tobolsk museum-reserve funds

Purpose. The author describes three copper hair picks from the funds of the Tobolsk Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve and introduces them for further research. The items analyzed are of particular value as similar things are found rarely in Western Siberia. Results. The three copper hair picks differ significantly in their shape, size, rows of teeth and ornamentation. The author also specified the circumstances how the hair picks appeared in the museum. The detailed description of each item helped to date the items and identify their cultural and historical identity. The first hair pick was found during archaeological excavations on the territory of the capital of Siberian Khanate - Isker hillfort. The hair pick features a single row of teeth and is covered with ornaments «a point within a circle» on one side. The handle of the hair pick is made in the form of two stylized of horse heads. The known analogues allow us to date it the 16-17th century. The paired images of horse heads were popular in the north and northeast of Russia during the Middle Ages and had magical power. The author considers the hair pick to be a Russian-made item, which can be either imported from Russia or brought to Siberia as an item belonging to a member of Ermak troops. Similar items were not spread on the territory of Siberia before the beginning of Russian colonization, although horse images were used in the culture of the indigenous population. The second hair pick is a random finding which came to the museum in the late 19th century, from an unknown person. The hair pick has a single row of teeth covered with ornaments «a point within a circle» on both sides. The handle is almost straight with a hole in the center. This item can be dated the 18th century. The hole on the handle is typical of hair picks from northern Russia, which were worn on the belt as an amulet. The ornament «a point within a circle» is a solar sign belonging to the group of images of heavenly bodies, the sun and stars. The teeth were considered rain or sunbeams, and all the elements were symbols of fertility. The third hair pick is a modern finding. According to oral reports, the subject was brought to Siberia from Central Russia and pre-dated the 19th century. The hair pick has a rectangular shape and two rows of teeth, which is a rare feature. Similar items were widespread first on the territory of ancient Russia and then were brought to Siberia. Conclusions. The hair picks stored in the collections of the Tobolsk Museum-Reserve were made on the basis of earlier prototypes from other materials, presumably bones, which were easier for processing. We conclude that the metal hair picks could not have been made by local craftsmen and must be considered imported items. Their features indicate that the items were made according to some ancient Russian samples and could be used in ritual and ceremonial practice.