AN EGYPTIAN GOLD SNAKE BRACELET

PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 304-30 B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN GOLD SNAKE BRACELET
Ptolemaic Period, 304-30 B.C.
Formed from a solid rod, lenticular in section, curved into an open hoop that forms the body of a snake, its head curved back and projecting outward, the tail coiled into two opposing loops, the scales of head and tail, both the top and underside, indicated by chasing and punching, with a triangular head, the eyes beaded
3 in. (7.6 cm.) wide

Provenance

Given to Lord Edward Gleichen, British Ambassador to Egypt, in appreciation for his fund-raising efforts on behalf of the opening of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Lady Valda Machell.
Roger Victor Machell.
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, New York, 30 May 1986, lot 85.

Lot Essay

Snake bracelets became popular during the Ptolemaic Period in Egypt, although examples are found elsewhere in the Hellenistic World and the type continued to be popular into the Roman Period. According to Higgs (p. 318 in Walker and Higgs, eds., Cleopatra of Egypt), "It was thought both that the snake was a potent symbol of fertility and that it had healing powers. The snake played an important role in the cult of Asklepios, the Greek healing god, because, as the snake lived underground in the dark, then emerged as the sun rose, it designated the transition from the underworld to the upper world. This, then, was a symbol of life and death, sickness and health, fertility and infertility."

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