8th-9th century AD. A large group of substantial silver horse harness fittings from the Khazar Empire, composed of ten round phalerae, presumably for the muzzle, nine rhomboid pieces for the reins, a buckle for the horse harness and a spherical pendant element for the antilina (anterior horse harness strap) or postilina (posterior horse harness strap"). See Artamonov, M.I., 'Sarkel i nekotoryje drugije ukreplenija v severo-zapadnoj Khazarii' in Sovetsknja Archeologija Vl, Moskva, 1940; Koestler, A., The Thirteenth Tribe, The Khazar Empire and its Heritage, Hutchinson, London, 1976; Pletnjeva, S.A., ‘Ot kochevij k gorodam (Saltovo-Majackaja kultura)’ in Materialy i lssledovanij a 142, Moskva-Leningrad, 1967; Pletnjeva, S.A., Die Chazaren, Leipzig, 1978; Pletnjeva, S.A. in Archeologija SSSR. Stepi Eurasii v epochu srednevekovj a, Moskva, 1981; Pletnjeva, S.A., ‘Risunki na stenach Majackogo gorodishcha’ in Majackoje gorodishche, Moskva, 1984; Pletnjeva, S.A., Na slaviano-kazarskom pogranichje. Dmitrij evskij archeologicheskij kompleks, Moskva, 1989; see similar artefacts in ????????, ?.?., ?????? ????????? ??????????, ?.: ????? ????????, 1999, pls.17-18.341 grams total, 16.5-90mm (3/4 - 3 1/2"). Property of a London businessman; acquired from L. W. in 2005; formerly in an old Israeli collection; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10389-169248. The Khazar Kaganate, a Jewish potentate formed in opposition to the Christian Roman Empire of Byzantium and the Muslim Arab Caliphate, stretched from the foothills of the Caucasus and the Lower Volga region to the Middle Dnieper in 8th-10th centuries. Their economy was characterised by a complex agricultural and cattle breeding system. The process of mass settling of nomads is reflected in the numerous settlements and burial grounds of the so-called Saltovo-Mayatsk culture, traces of which have been unearthed in the form of permanent unfortified settlements, fortified settlements with earthen ramparts, castles with remnants of stone walls, and fortress cities. Many Black Sea cities were revived under the rule of Khazaria, including Phanagoria and Tamatarhi-Tmutarakan. Particularly skilled in martial arts and weaponry, the Khazars created a powerful army whose military technology influenced Byzantium and the Islamic world in the sphere of war, trade and diplomatic relationships. [21]