Scythian Stag Earrings
In 1993 the 2500 year old preserved remains of a Scythian Princess were found on the Ukok Plateau, Siberia, by the Novosibirsk scientist, Natalia Polosmak. This design is a tattoo on her left shoulder and depicts a leaping stag. I can only hope to have captured some of the beauty of this special design. I originally cut this from sheet silver, cast, then re-cut to further define the piece.
It is 3cm in diameter and 6cm in length with hook and chain. Although quite large they are light and comfortable for every day wear.
Many years ago, my daughter Ruby borrowed a book from the local library on tribal tattoos. I also looked through it, found this design, and knew immediately I wanted to include it in the collection. But to my horror she returned it without me knowing, and I panicked because I didn’t know the name of the book! Luckily she was able to get it again, and it has since been a favourite in the collection.
Soon after it entered the collection, we were at the Abbey Medieval Tournament in Caboolture, Qld. I was telling the history and story of this piece to a friend, a re-enactor and archaeologist. He said, “Hang on! I know this design very well….” and he tugged and clawed at his tunic and chain mail, to reveal this exact tattoo on his shoulder. He and a group of Russian archaeologists in frozen Siberia, got drunk on vodka, and then got tattoos in honour of the Scythian dig they were working on together. As you do. We love the people we meet and the stories we hear at festivals. Never a dull moment!
