AN EARLY VICTORIAN GREEN BERYL AND GARNET SERPENT NECKLACE, CIRCA 1840

Designed as a highly stylised flexible serpent, the head with rectangular-cut green beryl crown and cabochon garnet eyes,...

AN EARLY VICTORIAN GREEN BERYL AND GARNET SERPENT NECKLACE, CIRCA 1840

Designed as a highly stylised flexible serpent, the head with rectangular-cut green beryl crown and cabochon garnet eyes, the mouth suspending a leaf and an openwork motif with square-cut and pear-shaped green beryl detail, length 44cm, in fitted case

 

Footnotes

Mankind has been fascinated with the Serpent since Ancient Egyptian times. This fascination is reflected in its widespread use as a symbolic and decorative motif in valuable possessions, especially jewellery. Its intriguing and enigmatic representation of both good and evil, fertility and rebirth, poison and medicine has allowed the snake to remain one of the most prevalent mythological symbols to date. Historically, the serpent has held different meanings in different parts of the world; presenting royalty and deity in Egypt - often featuring in jewellery worn by the great Egyptian Pharaoh Cleopatra; sexual passion and desire in Rabbinical tradition and Hinduism; and everlasting love in the Ancient Roman civilisation. Furthermore Greek, Nordic, African and Native American people have all honoured and immortalised the serpent in gold and other precious metals.

In the early 19th Century in Britain, serpent jewellery was elevated to new heights when Prince Albert presented Queen Victoria with the first ever engagement ring as a symbol of his eternal love. The Royal engagement launched the popularity of the serpent as the dominant motif on rings, brooches and necklaces in the 1840s.

 

 

 

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