A Victorian Gold And Turquoise Serpent Necklace

A Victorian Gold And Turquoise Serpent Necklace

Description

A Victorian gold and turquoise serpent necklace, the flexible tapering yellow gold body formed of three rows of scale-like collets each set with a round cabochon-cut turquoise, the head encrusted with cabochon-cut turquoises of various shapes, the brows and the mouth set with rose-cut diamonds and the eyes with cabochon-cut rubies, all mounted in yellow gold, circa 1850, measuring approximately 39.5cm long, gross weight 39.5 grams, a similar example is illustrated in Understanding Jewellery, by David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti, plate 108.

An exceptional Victorian serpent necklace. Serpent motifs in jewellery became popular in the early Victorian era after Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria a serpent ring for their engagement, and the image of the serpent came to symbolise fidelity and everlasting love. The interest in serpent motifs also coincided with new archaeological discoveries from Ancient Egypt, and many examples of ancient serpent jewellery were found. This necklace features flexible links of golden scales set with cabochon-cut turquoises that taper in size to form the remarkably lifelike body of the serpent. The head of the serpent features glowing ruby eyes and facial details studded with glittering diamonds. The clasp of the necklace is in the snake’s open mouth, which has the added detail of realistic teeth. To the Ancient Egyptians, the motif of a snake eating its own tale (the ouroboros) symbolized the cyclical nature of life, and when closed, this necklace forms a perfect ouroboros symbol.