ARTISTIC FEATURES OF BELT BUCKLES IN THE COLLECTION OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE ALTAI REPUBLIC NAMED AFTER A.V. ANOKHIN

The article analyzes the unique collection of decorative and applied arts of the National Museum of the Altai Republic named after A.V. Anokhin, formed in 1918. The collection is based on the acquisitions of the Karakoram-Altai District Council under the direction of artist G.I. Choros-Gurkin. The collection includes both integral complexes and separate ethnographic collections covering the various aspects of material culture of the peoples of the Altai Republic, including clothing, household items, ceramics and jewelry. Special attention is paid to the artistic features of the belt buckle collection, which are considered important artifacts reflecting the aesthetic and cultural codes of the Turkic peoples of the region. The authors of the article analyze the basic techniques and materials used by the craftsmen in the manufacture of belt ornaments, as well as the symbols and cultural meanings embedded in these products. The variety of shapes, ornaments and decorative elements is investigated, which makes it possible to identify the characteristic features inherent in the Altai culture. Belt buckles are considered as part of the complex of women’s jewelry of the Turkic peoples, created at the beginning of the 20th century. They not only perform a functional role, but also represent significant cultural artifacts reflecting the aesthetic preferences and identity of the Turkic peoples. Artistic features of belt buckles include simplicity and logical shapes, as well as expressive ornamentation represented by floral, geometric and zoomorphic types of decoration. The buckles are characterized by symmetrical shapes and harmonious proportions, which gives them visual integrity and completeness, emphasizing their importance in the context of the study of decorative and applied arts and cultural heritage of Altai.