The artistic traditions of nomadic Magyars have preserved the characteristic features of the art of the steppe nomads. Although the tools and artifacts of the Magyars are clearly distinct from those of other nomadic people, for example in their ornamental pattern, the connection to the artistic styles of the nomads is undeniable. Certain features of the 'wild animal' style that was developed first by the Scythians and followed by the Sarmatians, Huns and Avars still appear in Magyar art, especially on strap ends and jewelry. The stag, which had an important role in the myths and art of the Scythians, continues to play a central role in Magyar mythology, and as a consequence, in their art as well. Representations of wild animals, such as lions, leopards, rams, eagles and falcons appear frequently on Magyar artifacts just like in the art of their predecessors. The most distinguishing feature of Magyar art, however, is the development of a unique ornamental pattern, the palmets, representing elongated leaves bending left and right usually in pairs from a long curly stem. This pattern appears very frequently on purse plates, cups, saber ends, strap ends and on saddles. This style shows some affinities to the late Sassanidic and Sogdian art in Central Asia indicating its possible location of origin.

Early Magyars, like most of their nomadic predecessors on the steppes buried their dead with their weapons, jewelry and most importantly, with their horse. However, unlike them, the Magyars did not bury members of rich or chieftain families in earthmounds called kurgan. Horse burial was typical only in the aristocratic and rich families; ordinary people were buried without horses. The burial is unique in that although the best horses were sacrificed, only the skin of the horse with the skull and limb bones were placed next to the dead. This partial horse burial is mostly a Magyar characteristics, although it appears sometimes in other nomadic tribes as well. Dead were oriented with their head to the west and thus facing east. Weapons, and jewelry were always placed in the grave. Interesting custom was food provisioning; relatives presented the dead with food, usually some cooked meal in a clay pot or vessel that was placed next to the body. To protect the dead from hostile ghosts, the face was covered with a piece of cloth on which gold plates covered the eyes and the mouth. This custom has its origins from the Middle East through Central Asia.

Interestingly, Magyar burial sites and cemeteries are relatively small in number and in size in the Carpathian Basin. This raises the question about the number of invading Magyars at the time of conquest. It seems likely that they were not very numerous, but certainly more than some scholars estimated. Recent estimates vary between 50-500 thousand people, and until more evidence come to surface, no more precise data can be provided. Despite their relatively small number, traces of Magyars were found outside the Carpathian Basin as well. Small cemeteries with horse burials and typical weapons, tools and jewelry were found as far east as the steppes south of the Ural. In these areas several archeological sites contained graves with artifacts typical of Magyar art. Although many of these findings have been preserved in local museums of the former Soviet Union (Odessa, Lvov, Caucasus, and the Kuban area), they have not been yet thoroughly examined or catalogued.

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