CLASP Large Smiling Ouroboros SNAKE Large Victorian Antique Figural TEETH! 18k Gold Solid French Salvaged Parts to Repurpose Connector

I take regularly scheduled inventory trips to Europe to offer you a selection of carefully curated antiques. These have all been hand picked one at a time and most are one of a kind.

ABOUT:

Here we have an all original antique 18k gold snake clasp that is a salvaged piece or part for the buyer to work with their goldsmith to repurpose as they see fit. Note that it is currently not wearable as it is now.

This ouroboros (read about the symbolism of this design below) snake head serves as a catch with the tip of the tail holding a tongue insert to connect the two for function as a clasp for a necklace or bracelet. (Note again that right now it has no loops to connect a chain to.). The insert of the clasp is hinged to allow movement around a wrist.

This little guy (actually he is pretty large scale all things considered) was part of a hair work piece from the 1800s Victorian era.

Fun Fact ? (question mark is intentional here, tee hee). I had recently heard from some other dealers that these hair work pieces were often made with horse hair to allow them to be mass produced in the Victorian period with more durable materials. Apparently some tests were done of antique jewelry to determine this. They mentioned the buyers of the mourning jewelry may or may not have been aware of this at the time. Just an interesting little tidbit for you, we always wish we knew all the stories from those days gone by : )

Anyway, the hair on this piece must of frayed and broken leaving only the 18k gold head and tail. I had one other snake head in the past and some of my customers asked me just to sell it as is, so here is the opportunity, as it would become quite expensive to add a length of 18k chain with gold prices being what they are these days and then adding labor, etc., it would be cost prohibitive for resale (or at least price a lot of people out) so I decided to just sell it as is, as a rare salvaged part or finding. For the buyer to work with their own jeweler to fashion it however they like.

Some ideas:
The last time I had a snake part, I had my jeweler cap off the back with a disk of gold and add a loop. An example of this is seen in the final photo of the listing. (Note the final photo in the listing is not this item, but one that has already sold, but I am showing it as an example to help visualize how it could be re-purposed.) Once capped off with loops added, a length of chain could be added to each end to wear as a bracelet or necklace.
Another option would be to leave the ends hollow / open and run a post or cross section of metal through each end to attach a loop to.
I have also seen it where tiny holes are drilled into the gold to attach loops to.
In any of the above scenarios, it could also be used as an extender / connector with existing chains in your jewelry box, again to save cost.
So it is really up to the buyer to decide how they'd like to use him.

I've shown it in pictures how it would look draped across the wrist. It is possible that once loops are added, that a ribbon could be used for wear as a bracelet as well.

My favorite part is his "smiling" face with open mouth and visible teeth! Gorgeous engraved scale detail on his head. Nice size, 3D figural piece with superb detail.

Rich antique patina in glowing 18k gold. You'll see two little impressions on the edge of the neck and one on the underside of the tail - these are not dings or damage, but are the French symbol hallmarks for 18k gold with a maker's stamp.

Note that both ends were filled with some resin for stability back in the day so the piece is not currently hollow and there are some remnants of hair. I am not sure if the resin could be removed, but if capped off, it would just add stability.

The Victorians were fascinated with nature and also with jewelry, and we see some wonderful designs come from the period incorporating both of these delights. As the figural pieces of the Victorian era often held a symbolism, 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, especially in ring form, by Queen Victoria who received one 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. The Ouroboros design specifically (which translates to "tail eating" snake) has been said to represent rebirth and renewal, infinity, eternal life, the cycle of life, or an unbreakable bond with someone.

Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures. Some of my buyers "draw out" an example to get an idea of scale in person.

Antique Boxes, props, hooks, chains, mice : ) not included. I just used a staging chain to show examples of how to wear but listing is for the snake clasp alone.

SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:

It weighs 4.1 grams. This is not all gold weight as there is at least some resin inside. The snake head is 32mm long, the tail is 29mm.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

There is a fingerprint impression to the head. Not a sharp crease but a more gradual curve inward, that is somewhat masked by the scale texture but is readily visible. I don't know if this could be lifted out? It does not affect the well functioning clasp. Perfect patina. Some little ripples and a crease to the gold with a small crack between two scales on the scalloped edge of the snake's neck. It was always originally scalloped, not flat but shows some wear now.

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. : ) There are no dark spots to the gold, it was just difficult to photograph because it is so shiny and mirrored that it reflects its surroundings including the green trees out the window.
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 : )

Thanks so much for looking at my items!

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).

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