ABOUT:
I fell in love with this guy when I saw him! Victorian era French antique large 18k gold snake head pendant on a full swivel screw bolt dog clip / clasp. My favorite part is his "smiling" face with open mouth and visible teeth! Gorgeous engraved scale detail on his head with little ruby eyes. Nice size, 3D figural piece with superb detail.
When I purchased this in France, it was just the head part with open / vacant back. It was likely part of a bracelet or necklace, perhaps with woven hair that may have gone into the neck? I took it to my jeweler who tidily capped off the back and added a loop. I then added a salvaged also antique French 18k gold screw bolt dog clip with full swivel so it can be worn as a pendant. I have seen these as extenders as well but we didn't want to risk muddying the detail around the mouth with his tidy little teeth so we opted to make it a pendant from the back. With the swivel clasp, it is fun in a neck mass because the 3D head can twist and turn.
Rich antique patina in glowing 18k gold. My jeweler was able to preserve the hallmarks so you'll see two little impressions on the edge of the neck - these are not dings or damage, but are the French symbol hallmarks for 18k gold with a maker's stamp. The swivel dog clip is also stamped with the French 18k stamp (partial due to location but it is there!)
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 some staging chains to show examples of how to wear.
SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:
It weighs 5.2 grams. The snake head is 38mm / 1.5 inch not including the loop and dog clip. Including the dog clip it is 2 1/4 inches. The head is 14mm wide and 11mm deep.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
Aside from the two hallmarks, there is another impression to the side, I don't know if it is a stamp or just an irregular spot to the metal from its previous fabrication (there may have been a rivet there or something to secure whatever it was attached to?). A few nicks the ruby and one small impression below the teeth towards the back of his smile on one side, but that is being very picky. I would say better than most condition considering age and quite sturdy where it doesn't feel tinny or flex when applying pressure.
Note that when wearing around the neck, he doesn't lie flat because he is curved so he can shift while wearing.
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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