Antique Turquoise Snake Bangle Bracelet
Regular price
$38,000
Inscribed with the date 1838, this antique serpent bangle bracelet is composed of turquoise and rubies, set in 18K gold. It is designed as a turquoise cabochon snake with diamond-shaped scales, its sinuous form encircling itself with its own tail, its head set with a large pear-shaped cabochon turquoise cabochon ruby eyes, its interior with elongated s-shaped patterning in 18K gold. An early jewel design popularized by the Queen herself, this rare and naturalistic serpent from the beginning of the Victorian period is vividly colorful and sculpted to conform softly to the wrist.
Item #: BA-21946
Country: probably England
Circa: 1838
Dimensions: 6" interior circumference.
Materials: cabochon turquoise; 2 cabochon rubies; 18K Gold
Gram Weight: 28.6 g.
Signed: AS.S. 1838
Item #: BA-21946
Country: probably England
Circa: 1838
Dimensions: 6" interior circumference.
Materials: cabochon turquoise; 2 cabochon rubies; 18K Gold
Gram Weight: 28.6 g.
Signed: AS.S. 1838
The young Victoria wore a diamond and enamel coiled serpent bracelet, likely a gift from Queen Adelaide, to the meeting of her First Council in 1837, shortly after her accession. As a devotee of snake bracelets since childhood, Victoria may have intended this gesture, according to historians Judy Rudoe and Charlotte Gere, to communicate her ambition to develop "the wisdom of the serpent." Like her great-great-granddaughter Elizabeth II, Victoria took her duties as sovereign with great seriousness, and sought to understand and exercise her power with intelligence and sagacity. Her approach helped safeguard and restore the popularity of the monarchy after the damage done to its prestige and reputation by William IV. The young queen's great popularity was one of the factors that drove the serpent jewelry style in England and on the Continent.
The young Victoria wore a diamond and enamel coiled serpent bracelet, likely a gift from Queen Adelaide, to the meeting of her First Council in 1837, shortly after her accession. As a devotee of snake bracelets since childhood, Victoria may have intended this gesture, according to historians Judy Rudoe and Charlotte Gere, to communicate her ambition to develop "the wisdom of the serpent." Like her great-great-granddaughter Elizabeth II, Victoria took her duties as sovereign with great seriousness, and sought to understand and exercise her power with intelligence and sagacity. Her approach helped safeguard and restore the popularity of the monarchy after the damage done to its prestige and reputation by William IV. The young queen's great popularity was one of the factors that drove the serpent jewelry style in England and on the Continent.
