DATE: Imperial Russian, c.1880

A truly spectacular antique snake snake, by far the best we've every owned. It's Russian (pre-Revolution marks) and dates from the late 19th Century. The head is finished in blue, white, pink, and black guilloché enamel, and is set with a one carat pear-shaped diamond as well as ruby eyes. The snake body is composed of individually articulated segments, with textured scales, and connected to looped tail which forms the other end of the clasp.

It's modelled in 56z gold (the Russian standard that equates to roughly 14 karat) and is of exceptionally high quality: the detailing to the head, and the quality of the enamel work are particularly worthy of note. It's a one-of-a-kind antique, and really more a once-in-a-lifetime find.

STONES 

1.07ct old pear cut diamond

Ruby eyes

MEASUREMENTS 

Wearable length: 8 inches

Head: 3.7 x 2.0cm

Maximum width of band: 1.3cm

WEIGHT 

34.1g

MARKS 

Russian assay marks

56z

CONDITION 

Very good, some slight losses to the enamel on one side of the head