Tritone Snake Bangle in 18ct Circa 1970
In the 19th century, snake jewels became all the rage within a sort of novelty genre of jewelry. They recalled that the wearer knew the tale of Cleopatra’s suicide by the bite of an asp. To wear a snake jewel was to flirt with cadence of death, communicate your knowledge of the ancient world to the room you were inhabiting, and broadcast to others the levity of your impeccable taste in jewelry. This tradition continued into the 20th century, and is made all the more manifest by a snake bangle, like this, which uses the natural slithering motion of the snake as the inspiration for its mechanism; to open and close the bracelet you must use the torque tension that forces it to coil. This example is even more beguiling in the tritone ribbons of gold that create the mechanism – adding an aesthetic element to the functionality of the piece. One you will wear with constancy.
Details
- Era: Circa 1970.
- Origin: Made outside France; country of manufacture not identified. Bears a French import hallmark.
- Materials: 18ct gold in three tones: pink, cool-toned yellow, and warm-toned yellow.
- Hallmark: Owl in an oval cartouche, identified as a French import hallmark indicating assay in France for 18ct fineness.
- Weight: 25.28g.
- Measurements: 7-inch wearable circumference.
- Construction: Ribbons of tri-tone gold form a coiling snake, with its head leaning toward its own body.
- Opening mechanism: Torque construction; opens by gently bending the ends apart, rather than by a hinge.
- Mechanism condition: Retains strong, tight tension.
Shipping & Services
Ships fully insured, signature required via UPS from our NYC office. Full historical certification and appraisal services available upon request with documentation and photographs. A guarantee of authenticity and insurance paperwork are available upon request for all curated items.
The Curio NYC | Fine Historical Jewels | NYC + Paris.
