
Victorian
Boxed Antique 15ct Gold Snake Bracelet
An exceptional, boxed antique 15ct gold snake bracelet. Snake motifs have been used in jewellery for millennia with a surge in popularity in the Victorian era. In 1839 Prince Albert proposed to Queen Victoria with a Ruby, Emerald and Diamond studded snake ring, this prompted an influx of jewellers reimagining the design in rings, necklaces, bracelets and brooches. Often these pieces were commissioned as gifts, meticulously crafted down to every last detail. This is a perfect example of high craftsmanship of the period, even down to the original fitted case. The bracelet itself is constructed from interlocking 'scales' as links in brightly bloomed 15ct gold, headed with turquoise blue enamel and studded with split pearls and cabochon garnet eyes. Suspended from the mouth of the snake is a heart bearing matching enamel with a vacant locket to the reverse. The entire bracelet is in fantastic condition with almost no signs of wear, the box is also in very good condition with a functional hinge and some minor surface wear. True surviving antiques such as this one are becoming increasingly hard to find, especially in 'box fresh' condition. Typically unmarked - XRF tested to confirm 15ct throughout. 'Blooming' - A technique often used in Victorian jewellery whereby the piece was dipped into an acid solution to remove any non gold metals from the gold alloy at surface level, leaving a thin layer of pure buttery yellow gold - giving this 15ct gold bracelet the bright yellow look of 18ct+




















