Roman Bracelet in the Shape of a Snake
Roman, 1st century A.D.
Diameter: 8.1 cm

This superb solid gold bracelet is in perfect condition. The bracelet was made in the shape of a snake with the body curled around in a single spiral. It is open and modeled in such a way that one end represents the head with the mouth open, while the other end depicts the undulating tail of the reptile.

The best parallels for this piece come from Egypt, where one can find similar types of bracelets dating from the early Ptolemaic period. In this region, the snake was associated with the cult of Isis.

While the mythological relationship between Isis and the snake is not altogether clear, her success throughout the Greco-Roman world was certainly aided by her association with the coiled serpent, a symbol that was easily adapted to the making of beautiful jewelry.

Bibliography: For the Egyptian pieces that are the closest in resemblance, see:

A Passion for Antiquities: Ancient Art from the Collection of B. and L. Fleischman, 1994, p. 327, #170 (the same example can be found in J.Ogden, Ancient Jewelry, 1992, p. 8, fig.1). H. Landenius in Medelhavsmuseet Bulletin 13, 1978, p. 37-40.