The snake, symbol of eternity, wisdom and love, has meandered its way through the ages of jewelry design since antiquity. Popularized by Queen Victoria (who had several choice snake pieces of her own), the snake was a prominent decorative motif in the nineteenth century.
Comprised of a handcrafted beaded 15k gold chain, our Victorian serpent is a fine example of Victoriana. Her intricately articulated head is incised with a vine motif and studded with seventeen rosette-cut diamonds, two ruby cabachon eyes and crowned with nine strong green natural beryl emeralds of graduated size. Her open mouth holds a gold and rose-cut diamond locket, where you may stash a lock of your lover’s hair, as is traditional. An additional six emerald-cut, strong green beryl emeralds embellish the locket. To fasten, insert the snake’s tail into her mouth and you are eternally entwined.
Includes the delightful original fitted masquerade-shaped case. See The Necklace: From Antiquity to the Present, by Amanda Triossi and Daniela Mascetti (Thames & Hudson, 1997) for a nearly identical example.
Period: Victorian
Circa: 1840
Origin: England
Condition: Excellent
Materials: 15k gold, natural beryl emeralds 1.0-1.7 mm rosette cut
Dimensions: Chain 38 cm; locket 17 x 13 mm
Weight: 25 grams
A fierce Balmain bootie
$10,500.00
