Art Nouveau Snake Motif Locket
The snake design has been a mainstay of the jewelry world since ancient times. Often used during Georgian and Victorian eras, this Art Nouveau 9k gold locket has shape shifted that motif from its previous incarnations to a fantastical and dream-like perspective. Sinuous and sensuous, the snake breaks through the gold. It grasps an old mine cut diamond (.05 carats) in its jaws and hypnotically transfixes all viewers with its cabochon red glass eye. The reverse is poetic with the initials “LH” engraved upon its surface. Lightweight, it is made with a technique termed repoussé that utilizes a sheet of gold which is then pressed out and worked from the reverse to form the raised imagery.
Condition: Very good; reverse has medium wear with light loss to depth of engraving, otherwise fine. Inner locket rims deficient.
Measurements: 1-3/8 inches 3.2 cm) in length including two top rings by 1 inch (2.6 cm) in diameter by ¼ of an inch (0.7 cm) in depth. Has a weight of 5.7 grams.
Date: Circa 1900
