Exceptional quality antique garnet and diamond serpent necklace

Dating from the 1860's comes this exceptional quality antique serpent necklace that is destined to be not only admired from near or far, but such a wonderful conversation starter.

Made in 18 carat gold with the diamonds set in sterling silver, the snake motif in jewellery has been popular since Egyptian times, and had a major resurgence when Queen Victoria was presented with an engagement ring in the form of a snake and presented to her by Prince Albert.

Whereas many of these antique snake necklaces are often quite short, this one measures a full 44cm in length making it fit so easily around the neck. It is not just the length of the necklace section that is wonderful, but the design alone is so incredible to admire and made even more astonishing as it graduates in width. The time alone to hand make this section would have been so painstakingly time consuming and so difficult to do today, let alone all those years ago.

And then the eye is drawn down to the front where the most exciting and highly detailed snake head sits. Designed with a large cabochon section that us highlighted with eighty three rose cut diamonds in a lovely flowing design, there are a further three rose cut diamonds set on the nose. And with the heart shaped section suspended below which again is set with a cabochon garnet and highlighted with twenty one more rose cut diamonds, on the reverse of this section it is fitted with a locket compartment.

With the clasp fitting into the head itself, the hand engraving detail is also so beautiful to admire and showcases how much time, care and attention went into making this piece without any modern technology and tools such as what is available today.

From every part that you look at this necklace, the quality just shines and there is no doubt that this is an exceptional piece of antique jewellery from the romantic Victorian era.

Stock# ES9721

Circa: 1860

$28,500