Coiled SNAKE Georgian to early Victorian Antique Figural Pin Brooch for Pendant 18k Gold Ruby Eyes

ABOUT:

Oh those clever Victorians and their wonderful, whimsical figural jewelry!
This little pin is shows a figural coiled snake with ruby eyes.

This is currently a whimsical brooch but could also be used as a connector on the ends of a chain, or converted as desired to a pendant by your local jeweler. I was able to style it with a chain in photos but it does swivel or teeter some as it doesn't want to lie perfectly flat on the decollette with the pin back - but hopefully it gives you an idea of how it would look. Chain not included.

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 by Queen Victoria who received a snake ring from Prince Albert who designed it after the Roman belief that the intertwined snake represented eternal and everlasting love.

This one was found in Sweden with a known maker, Carl Petter Norlin who operated in Molmo from 1829 to 1843. Identified by the maker's mark, with Swedish gold stamps for 18k also present on the back.

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, chains, mice : ) not included.

MEASUREMENTS:

17x10mm measuring the snake alone. It weighs just .95 gram.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

Pin back is really nice and tight. Functions well. Surface wear, one impression at the center. The eyes are different colors under magnification so one may be a replacement?

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 : )

Striking to wear with the figural shape. Due to age, I would avoid getting it wet.

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