Scythian Chariots?

[Jim Webster]

There's an interesting site for those interested in Scythians, showing a reconstruction of various grave goods supposedly from about 500BC

http://en.tengrinews.kz/science/Reconstruction-shows-how-ancient-Scythian-Princess-255482/

But it includes a comb and reconstruction of a comb showing a 'battle scene'

The infantryman looks more like a conventional wargames Scythian than do the crew

Jim

[aligern]

Does that look like a Chinese chariot?
Roy

[Jim Webster]

I'll leave that to the experts, but certainly it didn't look like a more normal Mesopotamian one.

Jim

[Erpingham]

In terms of iconography, wouldn't it be odd for a Scythian comb to show a Scythian being ridden down by a foreign chariot?

[Patrick Waterson]

Intriguing observation: my first thought upon seeing the chariot was: "Achaemenid."

By way of comparison, look at this one from the Oxus Treasure for shape, configuration, crew and general design.

Conjecture time: might the comb have been made by or gifted to a Sacae tribe allied with the Persians, or taken from a Persian?

[Swampster]

The style of comb is very similar to the Persian ones in the Louvre, and the pose of the chariot driver is almost identical to a relief in the BM. Could the reconstruction have squared off the heads too much, giving a pill box hat? The original looks like it could have been a fillet with hair above it, though I could be convinced otherwise.

I'd agree - Achaemenid. Possible gift - perhaps the chap has a different hat to the recipients so no offence taken - or loot.

[Jim Webster]

Came across this

http://e-history.kz/en/publications/view/735

"Researchers of Taksay comb believe that in the decoration of the comb depicted the epic battle between the Persians and the Sarmatians."

Jim

[Duncan Head]

As Patrick and Peter have both said, the chariot looks very much like an Achaemenid style. See for instance http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Images2/Achaemenid/Painting/Reconstructed_Achaemenid_painting_beam3WM.png which is a reconstruction of one of the scenes on the Tatarli wooden beams. (You can browse the index at http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Images2/Achaemenid/Painting/ for more scenes.) Probably a Persian import, then.

[tadamson]

I'd also go with it being a Persian comb...
Scythian art rather postdates Scythian chariot use

Possibly representing a meeting of kings...