10th-11th century A.D. A Finno-Ugric figurative horse pendant with loops below suspending dangles terminating in coiled wire plaques embellished with pellets, representing four legs and a tail, corded and plain band forming the body, ears, nostrils and eyes formed from coiled wire plaques; apanied by a custom-made display stand. Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.XLVII (22). 179 grams total, 21.5 cm high including stand (8 1/2 in.). Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. The horse with eight legs is evidenced in Scandinavian folklore where it is called Sleipnir (the slippery one) and is the preferred steed of the god Oðinn (Odin) as it transports him over land, sea and sky. Thebination of the eight dangles on the legs and the one on the tail gives the number nine, which was culturally important in northern Europe associated with the cult of Oðinn. Among the Mordvins, the horses of Pur’ginepaz, the thunder god, struck sparks which illuminated the sky.