HEAVY ! Antique Ouroboros SNAKE Articulating Bracelet 43g 14k GOLD Chunky Teeth Ruby Eyes Head Rose Cut Diamond Halo Chunky Bangle Bracelet

I am selling an assortment of vintage to antique jewelry and rings which I have hunted for and gathered from around the world. Some examples seen in the last photo - thanks for stopping by!

ABOUT:

I've always wanted one of these antique baddies in my shop with the stylized head and articulated body. Everything about this Victorian era antique piece is quality and it has all the details in spades.

Crafted in 14k gold, the body of the snake is made with moving panels of scalloped gold to mimic the moment of snakes' scales. Arriving to the head we have the ornate acanthus leaf details, an open mouth with visible teeth and an applied cluster holding a natural ruby with a rose cut diamond halo, which also matches his ruby eyes.

Incredibly heavy piece at over 43 grams. The tongue insert of the clasp is at the tail, which winds around to be inserted into the mouth to complete the ouroboros design. There is an additional chain with a hook that is attached at the neck of the snake to serve as the safety chain.

Wonderful patina, such lifelike detail with the smooth stomach also resembling the body of an actual snake. I think the head might have some faint green vermeil goldwash remaining under magnification so that may have been constrasting at one point. Sleek and glowing, the gold panels to the body also have stamped details to give it the scale texture.

He's a substantial head turner and so fun to wear. No hallmarks remain but I tested the tongue insert, safety hook, head and body and all parts test at 14k gold.

Nary a ding nor dent because he's so nice and sturdy.

Wonderful antique patina. Unique and beautiful to add a buttery glow and chunky sparkle with a pop of color to a wriststack.

It has a push button clasp in excellent and tight working condition

In ancient times, snakes represented the duality of good and evil, as well as being symbols of death and rebirth or immortality, transformation and healing, and even fertility. This motif was highly popularized by Queen Victoria who received a piece from Prince Albert who designed it after the Roman belief that the intertwined snake represented eternal and everlasting love. This design remained popular through the Victorian era and into the Art Nouveau period.

MEASUREMENTS:
It weighs an amazing 43.25 grams. But I'm asking you not to consider the weight in gold melt, rather as a measure of quality. Because I am not sure about the inner workings of the piece, if it is all gold throughout, or just the head and articulated scale body panels, if it may have another material inside, etc. I would never take it apart to find out. I can see two brass rivets, one at the head and one for the hinge of the clasp used for strength.

It is about 7 inches around the inside with a tape measure wrapped around it. I have a 5 1/2 inch lower wrist and it is a bit too large for me but with the weight of the piece, I can easily wear him in a stack a bit higher on my wrist and he doesn't flip because he's so heavy and the head is nice and substantial.

The widest part of the body is 11.5mm wide by 9.8mm deep. The head is 36x14mm by 15mm deep with his 3D-ness. ; )

The ruby is 5.5x4mm. Most of the rose cuts are 1.7mm, the largest one is 2mm and there are some tiny ones at the end.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
There is a small chip to the bottom left corner of the ruby right up against the prong there. Still appears mostly complete in form to the eye. Typical antique rose cuts with some frosty spots and reading warm to gray but they have a nice dome to them compared to many that are thinly sliced discs.

Very snappy clasp, no dings or dents. In better than most condition for the gold work and fabrication. He's an amazing work of art.

Beautiful coloring, shine and patina. Some surface wear and scratches but functions well. So unique and whimsical.

Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )

SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )

All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).

Many of my listings include group shots – I find the comparisons between pieces help show scale, diamond hues, etc. All items in group shots are inventory, but refer to the website to see what items have sold out and to watch for new listings from the grouping to appear on the home page.

Box#tmq.!@6