Museum of Gold and Precious Metals

To preserve the nation’s treasures crafted from precious stones and metals, the Government of Kazakhstan initiated the establishment of the State Museum of Gold and Precious Metals. The museum first opened its doors to the public in 1990, originally located in Almaty. However, in 2000, it was relocated to the country’s new capital, Astana (formerly known as Nur-Sultan). Today, it is housed within the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where the exhibits are showcased in the Gold Halls No. 1 and No. 2.

The museum’s purpose extends beyond merely organizing exhibitions. Its staff are actively involved in the collection, restoration, and preservation of valuable artifacts, preparing them for display. Additionally, the museum is engaged in scientific and educational activities, focusing on researching the history and culture of the ancient peoples who once inhabited modern-day Kazakhstan. In total, five departments are dedicated to various aspects of the museum’s work.

The museum’s collection features jewelry pieces from various historical periods of Kazakhstan, including those dating back to the early nomadic era. Each year, new and significant items are added to the collection.

The museum’s treasures are divided between two halls—one for gold and the other for silver. The gold exhibit, which contains artifacts from the 18th to the 20th century, is anchored by the “Golden Man,” a national treasure discovered in the Issyk burial mound (in the Almaty region) between 1969 and 1970. This important artifact dates back to the 5th–4th centuries BCE and was accompanied by more than 4,000 other golden items uncovered during the excavation. In total, the museum holds around 7,000 items, which are carefully stored and divided into categories, including household items, archaeology, jewelry, and numismatics.

Gold Hall No. 1

In addition to the famous finds from the Issyk burial mound, the Gold Hall also showcases:

• The Kargaly Hoard Gold Ring: A signet ring with a turquoise stone, found in southern Kazakhstan, dating back to the 2nd–1st centuries BCE.
• The Golden Argali: One of the oldest artifacts in the collection, dating to the 7th century BCE, was discovered in the Shilikty burial mound in eastern Kazakhstan.
• Golden Deer Figures: Their exact creation date is unknown, but they are believed to have been crafted between the 7th and 3rd centuries BCE. These heraldic deer were part of the Zhalauly Hoard, found in southern Kazakhstan.
• A Horse Harness Element in the Shape of a Griffin: This piece, covered in gold foil, dates back to the 4th–3rd centuries BCE and was uncovered in the Berel burial mound in eastern Kazakhstan.

Hall No. 2 (Silver Hall)

The Silver Hall primarily features less ancient items, with most dating from the 18th to the 20th century. The collection is dominated by ornate elements from traditional Kazakh women’s festive attire. The massive chest ornaments, often worn during wedding ceremonies, are particularly striking. These ornaments are more than just decorative; each plate carries symbolic meaning. For example, the rhombus represents fertility and the continuity of life, while the triangle signifies femininity.

In addition to women’s jewelry, the Silver Hall exhibits men’s belts with silver decorations, horse tack adorned with silver, and household items crafted from the precious metal. Various decorative elements are also on display.

Besides individual items, the reconstructed dioramas in the Gold Halls are a highlight. Visitors can view burial reconstructions, complete with lavishly adorned horses belonging to noble families, and lifelike representations of warriors and hunters holding their weapons.