Silver, 0.65 grams, 14.13 mm. Circa 4th century BC. A cast silver human mask, circa 1mm thick, dished on the underside. The mask features radiating strands of hair, a combined brow-nose-moustache feature, roundel ears, square eyes with point pupils looking to the right, a scaphoid mouth and a radiating stranded beard. The stern expression recalls the Greek motif of the gorgoneion, a protective, terrifying face which was believed to intimidate malefactors and to deter attack; it is derived from the Medusa legend. The item has no obvious attachment points, and may have been impressed onto a prepared adhesive surface. Reference: Ukrainian Scythian material is catalogued in Bonora, G-L. and Marzatico, F. Ori dei Cavalieri delle Steppe, Milan, 2007. Slight loss from rim, otherwise very fine condition. Provenance: from an old European collection.