Plaque of Griffin with Outstretched Wings from Horse Tack. Wood, Gold Foil. H. 6.6; W. 6.9; D. 1.0 cm. Berel, Kurgan 11, late 4th–early 3rd century BCE. Presidential Center of Culture, Astana: 5557 Photography by Viktor Kharchenko © The Presidential Center of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana

Thirteen horses were included with the burial in Berel kurgan 11, and each set of decorated horse tack highlighted a single motif. They include representations of real animals, such as paired deer heads and argali (horned sheep) heads, as well as fantastic creatures, including eagle-griffin heads and standing eagle-griffins with their wings outstretched as seen here. Many were further decorated with foil made from beaten tin or gold.