The Red Kaganate

Last Page Update: March 2, 2003 Contact Copyright Information Main Page Structure of the Red Kaganate Gatherings, Events,... Historic Steppes Tribes Legends of the Nomads Flags and other Identifiers Clothing and Apearance Food and related Matters Games and Military Arts Public Forum Resource Links Email: kaganate@yahoo.com Editor: Norman J. Finkelshteyn

Silver belt buckles found in Anatolia. Probably Artukid Emirate, 2nd quarter, 13th century. Previous Belts Database Next A number of Belt Plates By Steven Baker Belts were an important part of a nomad's equipment. They were used to carry their bowcases, quivers, knives and swords. They were also used as a gift to signify a person's standing with their Khan, Sultan, Amir or Leader. 12th Century Seljuk Belt Plaques Belt Buckle. Greater Iran 12th - Early 13th Century, Bronze. The buckle above is one I photographed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a good view of the rear of the buckle to see how it joined together. From what I could see I would say the right hand ring slots into a catch on the back of the lion. Kazakhstan Buckles with motif. Cast, engraved. 5.6x5.6x0.5cm I've recently come across a couple of additional belt plaques. These are from a Kazakhstan grave find. They are listed as 'Chance finds from a warrior's grave near village of Chingeldy, Alma-Ata region. Xlll-XIV centuries. Museum of Archaeology of Academy of Sciences'. Interestingly they are referred to as being belt buckles - yet they would seem to be belt plaques. I consider them to be belt plaques, as they do not have they fittings normally associated with belt buckles such as a loop and a belt plate. However a close look at the first picture shows what seems to be a vertical bar on the back. Belt buckle in the form of a flower. Hammered, chased, engraved. 2.2x2.1 cm This could just be away of allowing it to slide on the belt to adjust its position. Equally it could be that the buckle arrangement is behind the face perhaps a hook or knob. The other thing to note is that the first buckle/plaque has a size of 5.6 centimetres, which would make for a fairly wide belt. Plaque (umbon) with stylized animals' heads motif and a vine with punched pattern 9.5x9x1.5cm I've also included two umbons, which are from the "Lebedevka burial ground Uralskaya district. XII-XIV centuries. Excavated by N. Bagrikov. Museum of Archaeology of Academy of Sciences". Again we have one that is fairly large which either means a very wide belt or it was used for something else. Plaque (umbon). 3.7x3.7x0.4 cm This is a restructured and reorganised version of the information on Steppes Nomad Belt fittings presented at Steven Baker's Steppes Nomad Resource Site - http://www.oocities.org/qilich. Previous Belts Database Next