On the Chronology of Oriental Import into Volga Bulgaria in 10th – 11th Centuries (according to toreutics materials)

The article considers art metal items brought to the Middle Volga region from Oriental countries in early 2nd millennium A.D. These are chalices crafted with a special alloy – white bronze. The majority of them have been discovered in the Volga and Oka regions, and a single chalice was found at Bolgar ancient village (Semenovka I) and the lower reaches of the Kama river. A total of 8 items of this type are studied in the article. The studying of dating items from the burials in which the chalices were discovered, as well as a stylistic analysis of images performed by the author have allowed to assume that the chalice could have been crafted in one of the centers which existed in last third of 10th – first quarter of 11th centuries. According to the author of article, they were brought to the Middle Volga region in two sets. The first set arrived in the town between 960s and early 11th century. The second set of items was sent in the first half of 11th century. In second half of 10th – first half of 11th centuries chalices from this centre were also imported into West Siberia, but not through Volga Bulgaria, but using a different route.