Tray on Conical Stand with Mounted Archer in Center and Fifteen Horned Animals around Rim. Copper Alloy. H. 27.7; Diam. 30 cm Semirechye/Zhetisu, 4th–2nd century BCE. Museum of Archaeology, Almaty: MA AA-1. Photography by Viktor Kharchenko © Museum of Archaeology of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty.

Figurines of fifteen unidentified animals circle the rim of the tray in a clockwise direction. A mounted archer, placed off center to one side, is shown galloping in clockwise direction, and drawing his bow, prepared to shoot an arrow toward one of the animals on the rim. Although sketchily rendered, the figure of the rider is extremely detailed. His double curved bow, the quiver that hangs to the left side of his saddle, the bridle on his horse’s head, and the system of bands used to hold his saddle in place all compare to excavated examples.