The State Hermitage Museum: Exhibitions

The Treasure of the Golden Horde

Drinking Vessel with two handles in the form of water dragons

13th - early 14th century

Ulus Juchi

Raised, chased, engraved and polished gold

Cups worn on the belt were one of the characteristic features of Mongol horseback culture. Items made of precious metals - belts, drinking vessels worn on the belt and horse ornaments - were a symbol of the sovereign power of the nomadic nobility, while the artefacts themselves, forming part of the system of gifts from senior members of the hierarchy to their juniors, served to strengthen the prestige of the leaders of the local steppe elites. The handles of this vessel present a variety of dragon associated with the watery element. The image of the dragon is of a Chinese pattern. In the Chinese tradition dragons are a symbol of imperial power, wisdom and power, including the male power in nature. In Mongol culture dragons are heraldic symbols of the head of state, Genghis Khan, and the senior military elite - the guard. The emblems representing the "emperor" and his guard became established between 1204-06 and 1217.
There is an Arabic inscription on the bottom of the cup which was found in 1848 at the Tsarevskoye archaeological site.