The Silver Deer of Bilge Qaghan is a 7th- or 8th-century silver and silver-gilt artifact extracted from the tomb of Bilge Qaghan, the burial complex of the fourth Qaghan of the Second Turkic Khaganate. It was discovered in 2001 during excavations carried out in Orkhon Valley, at the future Bilge Khan Monumental Grave Complex, located about 400 km (250 mi) from Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar, between the Orkhon River and Khosho Tsaydam Lake. The artifact was produced in the 7th century, during the Turkic period of rule in the Orkhon Valley, in the Second Turkic Khaganate. The deer has been praised for its proportions and its skillful engravings. It shows the high level of craftsmanship reached at the time. The figure of the deer was symbolically important to the Turks, and it also features in other noted artworks located in northern Mongolia, the so-called Deer stones.
Background The Göktürks "Celestial" or "Blue Turks" lived in the Altai Mountains and their southern hills. At this time, they were already at an advanced state of melting iron metals and making iron items. The Göktürks densely inhabited the surroundings of the River Laoha, where gold and silver belongings, part of which were robbed, were found. Gold and silver objects, including 99 arc ornaments were discovered, with the items bearing the features of the Göktürks. They preferred to make buckets from iron and gold. The Göktürks were known for their skills as blacksmiths. As part of the heterogeneous Rouran Khaganate, against whom they later rebelled, going on to found the First Turkic Khaganate, the Turks lived for generations north of the Altai Mountains, where they "engaged in metal working for the Rouran". There is an anecdote in which the Rouran Khagan calls Bumin, the future Qaghan, a "blacksmith slave", which indicates that the Turks specialized in metallurgy for the Rouran (possibly in a state of vassalage, or unequal alliance). On occasion of the death of his brother, Bilge Khan called up from China a group of artisans who helped to build a barq and completed a number of paintings and stone sculptures at the Burial Complex of Kol Tigin, located about 1 km north of Bilge Khan's complex. Stark notes that while the Tang Chinese artisans are likely to have sculpted the marble Bust of Kul Tigin, found in the latter's complex, the golden diadem found at the complex of Bilge Khan was likely the work of a Central Asian artist. Indeed, Chinese culture wasn't the only influence. Ying notes that the objects found at Boma, Zhaosu County, Xinjiang, belong to the Turkic Empire, and that these Central Asian populations "transmitted material and cultural achievements between East and West, but also combined in their own distinct culture the elements of different civilisations," like Iranian civilisation, Indian, Byzantine, Chinese. A similar stag from the Tibetan Empire was found. It once belonged to a Tibetan aristocrat. The Sogdians were merchants and artisans, who crisscrossed Asia, trading goods from Tibet, India, China, as well as fur from the northern steppes. They were famed for their artistic skills, especially in metallurgy, and had Turks and Chinese among their patrons. Bilgä Qaghan's name literally means "wise king". Born in 683, he was already campaigning with his father in his childhood. He was created as Tardush shad and given command over the western wing of the empire in 697 by Qapaghan. He annihilated Wei Yuanzhong's army in 701 with his brother. He then reconquered Basmyl tribes in 703 and subdued Yenisei Kyrgyz forces in 709, which, after their disobedience, he had to reconquer, killing their Qaghan. He killed Türgesh khagan Suoge at Battle of Bolchu. In later years of Qapaghan, he fought four battles in a year starting from 714, resubduing tribes and nearly was killed in an ambush from the Uyghurs in 716. In 716, the second Khan Qapaghan was killed in his campaign against the Toquz Oghuz and his severed head was sent to Chang'an. His son Inel Khagan succeeded him, but Bilgä's brother Kul Tigin and Tonyukuk carried out a coup d'état against him, killing him and making Bilgä Qaghan. Bilgä Qaghan was poisoned, but he did not die immediately and had time to punish the family of the poisoner with death. He died on November 23, 734. His burial ceremony took place on June 22, 735.
Description This decorative ornament was restored between 2001 and 2003 in Ulaanbaatar, at the National Center for Cultural Heritage. The horns were welded to the head, which was welded to the body. The legs were also welded to the main body. The artifact shows an experienced use of casting, of bas-relief engraving, gilding and welding. The development of craftsmanship can be seen in the deer's features. Its engraved fur and flower patterns show the level of craftsmanship achieved at this time. A sharp tool was used to engrave the statuette around the animal's horns, mouth and ears, and to carve a pattern on its shoulder. This pattern is also on the hips and tail, and the marks were gilded with gold. The pattern is in the form of a leaf, and it points backwards. The deer's fur was also skillfully engraved over the neck, the body and the legs. The ornament displays skillfulness in casting and carving, and is appreciated for its model proportions. The deer has large eyes, pointed ears and big antlers. The artifact has pegs below its hooves. This suggests that the deer was attached to another item, probably a standing base. The Silver Deer was registered in the list of invaluable heritage of Mongolia on May 21, 2003, as per the Government of Mongolia-issued Order no.124.
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