Iconographic and Symbolic Evaluations of the Belt Buckle Found in Eleke Sazı, Kazakhstan, From the Point of Turkish Art

This article aims to analyze the iconographic and symbolic dimensions of two golden belt buckles unearthed at the Eleke Sazı complex in Eastern Kazakhstan, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the visual language of early Turkish art. Although modest in size, these artifacts encapsulate central motifs of rulership and sovereignty. The composition, featuring a Sovereign-Alp figure seated on a two-headed horse throne and holding a libation cup, is enriched with significant details such as the lotus or tricorn crown, flowing ribbons, and attendant figures making offerings. These elements embody themes of divine power, celestial legitimacy, and political authority, while also revealing the impact of Shamanistic traditions, as well as Buddhist and Manichaean influences, on Turkic visual culture. The study demonstrates that the belt buckles of Eleke Sazı are not isolated artistic products but part of a long-standing iconographic continuum within the Turkic world. Comparable motifs in Göktürk, Uyghur, Khazar, and Seljuk material culture underscore the enduring nature of visual codes associated with rulership, including the horse, crown, belt, and ritual vessel. By situating the Eleke Sazı belt buckles within this broader tradition, the article underscores their significance as artifacts that critisize both the symbolic language of sovereignty and the intercultural dynamics shaping early Turkish art. So as mentioned above, this study examines the symbolic and iconographic significance of these belt buckles within the context of Turkish art and iconography

Sovereignty · The Symbolic · Throne · Turkish · Visual culture · Cultural and Sociopolitical Studies · Eurasian Exchange Networks · History and Cultural Heritage

• Türk Sanatında Üç Dişli Başlığa Sahip Şamanlar ve Savaşçılar

  Open Access•Jale Özlem Oktay Çerezci•Sanat Tarihi Dergisi•2020

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