Antique French Snake Bangle

A striking antique French snake bangle dating to circa 1880, crafted in rich, rosy 18K gold. The hinged bangle is decorated to the front with an entwined serpent coiled around a circular cluster of seed pearls, the snake’s head set with a pale blue spinel. The soft blue of the spinel contrasts beautifully with the warmth of the gold and the gentle lustre of the pearls. The bangle is substantial and confidently made, with a pleasing weight and strong presence on the wrist, and retains its original safety chain. It bears the French owl control mark and tests as solid 18K gold.

Snake jewellery has been worn for thousands of years, from ancient Egypt and Greece to Rome, where the serpent symbolised protection, rebirth, and eternity. In the 19th century, the motif took on renewed romantic meaning after Queen Victoria’s engagement ring, famously designed as a snake, cemented it as a symbol of eternal love and commitment. Seed pearls, frequently used in Victorian sentimental jewellery, reinforced these themes, representing devotion and enduring bonds.

The bangle measures approximately 12mm wide, with an internal diameter of 6.2 × 4.8cm, and weighs 15.5 grams. There are light dents consistent with age and wear, adding to the character of the piece without detracting from its integrity.

A beautifully preserved and evocative example of Victorian snake jewellery, uniting ancient symbolism with 19th-century romantic sentiment.