Plaque in the form of an argali sheep

The figure of an argali “on pointe,” with the front and back legs close together and the hooves lowered. The neck is sharply curved, stretched upwards, and the head with a smooth, curved horn is directed forward. The front and rear humps of the body are prominently expressed, and the tail is short. The eye, ear, nose, and hoof sockets are teardrop-shaped, while the mouth is oval-shaped, inlaid with eight stones of blue and bluish-green colors (seven flat stones, with the ear socket having a cabochon-shaped convex insert). Two flat loops are soldered to the reverse side. The plaque has been cleaned, and the stone inlays have been restored.
Date: VIII-VI centuries BC
Place of origin: burial site, Chilikty 2, mound. Eastern Kazakhstan
Material: gold, turquoise
Technique: casting, forging, soldering, inlaying
Dimensions: length – 4.1 cm, width – 3.97 cm, height – 0.55 cm