The gold ornament depicting a recumbent deer was produced between approximately the sixth and fourth centuries BCE by the Scythians, nomadic peoples who inhabited the Great Steppe. Stretching across central Eurasia, the Great Steppe encompasses a vast and varied landscape of mountains, grasslands, rivers, and lakes. Beneath its surface lie rich deposits of gold and other valuable minerals, which rendered the region one of the most significant centres of ancient metallurgy. Throughout antiquity, the Great Steppe was home to a diverse range of cultures, among which the Scythians are perhaps the most renowned. Active during the Iron Age, the Scythians were nomadic, horse-mounted warriors who occupied large areas of the steppe. Rather than constituting a single, homogeneous society, they comprised numerous groups united by shared cultural practices and artistic traditions.

The gold plaque, inlaid with turquoise, depicts a stag rendered with remarkable intricacy and refinement. Scythian metalworkers demonstrated exceptional skill in the integration of gold with other materials, including semi-precious stones such as turquoise and lapis lazuli, as exemplified by this ornament. Although many aspects of Scythian belief systems remain unclear, the frequent representation of deer—particularly in heraldic and emblematic compositions—suggests that the animal held significant symbolic importance. This recurring motif may indicate the existence of a deer cult or a broader religious or cosmological association within Scythian culture.