OUROBOROS Coiled SNAKE Georgian early Victorian Antique Figural Clasp Pendant 9k Rosy Gold Hair Locket Connector

ABOUT:

Oh those clever Victorians and their wonderful, whimsical figural jewelry!

Here we have a fabulous ouroboros snake clasp.
These functional ornate clasps are hard to come by as this is a salvaged antique one and not a modern reproduction. Would be a great antique add to a neckstack as a loop could be added to each end connected and then to a chain. Or a loop could be added to wear as a pendant since the clasp insert is mostly hidden.

Found in Sweden, dates to the early to mid 1800s. Under the center thick beveled glass panel is a little braided hair work.

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, chains, mice : ) not included.

MEASUREMENTS:

114mm diameter. It weighs 2.9 grams.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

Note the smallish loops at each end. Buyer may need add a very tiny jump ring to each end to make it easier to attach a dog clip to, etc. Beautiful patina, function well! Some patina and aging to the 9k gold with a tiny bit of verdigris at solder points, no repairs, it is just age related. And a few nibbles to the beveled edge of the locket panel.

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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