Two Finials with Ibex-Head Tops. Bronze, H. 11.7, 11.5; W. 4.0, 4.0; D. 1.8, 2.0 cm Kzyl-Tagan (Taldy-Kurgan, Almaty region), 7th–6th century BCE Museum of Archaeology, Almaty: MA: RB-23/1, 2. Photography by Viktor Kharchenko © Museum of Archaeology of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty.

Wild animals were especially popular in nomadic art, such as the ibex (mountain goat) heads seen here, or argali (mountain sheep), deer, tigers, and snow leopards. Birds, particularly eagles, vultures and other raptors, are also represented often. Apart from camels, used by the nomads as beasts of burden, domestic animals that were part of their herds are rarely represented.