The Lukovit silver treasure

Thracian silver treasure, dates back to the second half of the 4th century BC. It is found accidentally in 1953 near the town of Lukovit. It consists of two groups of items:

  • Horse-trappings appliques and
  • Vessels (9 vessels — 5 phialai, 3 jugs and a bowl)

The items are made of silver and some of them are partially plated with gold to underline the artistic figures and the decoration. The phialai and the bowl are rich decorated with plants, human heads and other elements. On the appliques there are often depicted animal figures: lion, griffin, dog, deer, etc. Figures of horsemen, very typical to the Thracian art, can be also seen. A lion attacking a deer whose legs are folded under the body is depicted on two of the appliques of the Lukovit treasure. On another applique two horsemen chase lions, who – overtaken – fall under the hooves of the horses. These scenes from the Thracian art have a definite social meaning. They are related to the glorifying of royal power. The rulers and their parties were spreading by all means the legends for their divine origin and even with the decoration of the horse trappings they made ordinary people believe in it and knuckle under to them.

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