This artefact was found in Khomyna Mohyla barrow, in the plundered tomb of a man. The burial ritual included sacrificed horses with richly ornamented bridles, weapons, gold cloth adornments and tableware, which included an exact gold boar figurine.
The sculptural depiction of the boar was made eclectically, connecting realistic image recreation with some conditionality. The hollow body was cast and soldered from two parts. Legs and tail were made separately and soldered with the torso.
The figurine was probably a handle of a wooden cup. The gold plates on the boar`s legs may be the basis of this theory. Animalistic handles were a typical detail of nomadic dishes. The craftsman knew the animal’s anatomy and had the skill to recreate its individual character and naturalism.
A boar has an important place in Indo-Iranian mythology. It`s one of the avatars of the ancient Iranian god of thunder and victory called Verethragna, a mentor of the military aristocracy.
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