A pair of protective figures and a reindeer sculpture
Description
Siberian cedar, coins, fur, base
The figures were kept in the family dwelling dressed up to the neck in cloth or canvas clothing. The discoloration around the mouth is a residue of previous “feedings”. The eyes are represented by kopek coins, a feature typical of the Agan River Khanty. On the female figure, an eye in the wood marks the place where the heart is located.
Comes with: reindeer of wood, with separately worked legs and metal antlers, the body completely covered with pink satin, h: 13.5 cm; l: 20 cm
The use of these animal figures is not clear. According to the places where they were found, they may have served as a home patron spirit or belonged to the paraphernalia of a shaman.
The Finno-Ugric ethnic group of the Khanty (old name “Ostjaken”, proper name and Russian “Chanty”) is called “Ob-Ugrians” together with the Mansi. Both groups probably originate from the steppe regions of Siberia’s southwest and migrated around 500 AD as horse-breeding nomads from the upper reaches of the Irtysh to the north, as far as the lower Ob. They form the indigenous population of the region formerly called Yugoria in the West Siberian lowlands. Today they live mainly in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug in western Siberia.