The Treasure of Nagyszentmiklós is often called by many the Treasure of Sânnicolau Mare. Considered an extremely valuable treasure that consists of over twenty gold vessels, considered to be early medieval that was found in Nagyszentmiklós, Habsburg Empire in 1799. Today that region is known as Sânnicolau Mare, Romania. Once the treasure was located it was transferred to Vienna where it has resided since. The estimated twenty three vessels of gold can be dated back as far as the 6th and 10th centuries.
The vessels display images of a “victorious Prince” who is pulling the hair of a prisoner and dragging him behind. This is considered a mythological scene but there are other objects that are associated with similar items that were found in Sarkel, Russia and Novi Pazar, Bulgaria. It is believed that Khazar tribes referred to as Kabars, who were well known skilled gold and silversmiths used these Persian-Sassanide art patterns to create the vessels back in 896.
Another case of stumbling upon a treasure was the case with the Treasure of Nagyszentmiklós when in 1799 a simple farmer in what is now called southern Romania found this treasure in its entirety. The vessels were made of 24 karat gold. He also found various platters, trays, bowls, etc. He turned the treasure over to Municipal Judge János Boráros in Budapest. This judge in turn got the treasure back into the hands of the Austrian Imperial Treasury where it has been ever since.
This treasure is believed to have originated during the reign of Attila the Hun. It has more than baffled scholars for centuries now as they wonder why this treasure was buried on a hillside and why these highly crafted vessels were so unusual. The Treasure of Nagyszentmiklós has been one that has not only stumped many historians across the years but one that has also been highly controversial.