1800s Antique Victorian Gold-Tone Double Snake Brooch Pendant with Paste Stones

Striking antique Victorian-style double serpent brooch featuring two intertwined snakes in richly textured gold-tone metal, accented with sparkling clear and deep sapphire-blue paste stones.

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The sculptural snakes have finely textured, scale-like bodies that curve into an elegant intertwined design. Clear faceted paste stones accent the heads and body, while two vivid sapphire-blue paste stones add a beautiful flash of color near the lower portion of the piece.

Paste jewelry has a long history in antique jewelry making. Rather than natural gemstones, paste stones were made from specially formulated glass that could be molded or cut and faceted to imitate the brilliance and color of precious stones. Fine paste jewelry was particularly popular throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and could be remarkably sophisticated in its workmanship. 

The serpent is also an especially meaningful Victorian motif. Snake jewelry surged in popularity during the 19th century, particularly after Prince Albert presented Queen Victoria with a serpent engagement ring set with an emerald. In Victorian jewelry, the snake came to represent eternal love, devotion and enduring affection, making serpent jewels both fashionable and deeply symbolic. 

The reverse is fitted with a long pin stem and clasp for wear as a brooch, along with fittings that allow the piece to be adapted or worn as a pendant, making it a particularly versatile antique jewel.

The piece has been gently cleaned and polished while retaining the character and patina appropriate to its age. There is expected age-related surface wear to the gold-tone finish and metal. Please examine the photographs closely for condition and construction details.

A dramatic piece of antique serpent jewelry with wonderful Victorian symbolism—equally beautiful worn as a statement brooch or suspended as a pendant.

Era: Victorian 19th century
Style: Double serpent / snake
Metal: Gold-tone metal
Stones: Clear and sapphire-blue paste glass stones
Wear: Brooch or pendant
Condition: Good antique condition with age-related wear and patina; cleaned and polished