- Museum number
- 1917,0601.2780
- Description
-
Gold bracelet in the form of a serpent: comprising a solid gold rod that has been twisted into a coil that forms the body of the snake. Only the scales of the forepart and tail of the snake have been indicated by chasing, and even then, only on the top surface. The snake's mouth is slightly opened, showing the lightly indicated teeth.
- Production date
- 1stC BC-1stC
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 6.70 - 7.20 centimetres
-
Weight: 660 grammes
-
Thickness: 0.70 centimetres
-
Width: 2.20 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Pair with 1917,0601.2781.
Similar spiral bracelets have been found in Egypt and at Pompeii and Boscoreale in Italy.
Bibliography:
F.H. Marshall, 'Catalogue of Jewellery, Greek, Etrusean and Roman in the Department of Antiquities, British Museum' (London, 1911), nos 2780-1;
R. Blurton (ed.), 'The Enduring Image: Treasures from the British Museum' (London, 1997), cat.no.98;
C. Johns, discussion of snake bracelets in S. Walker (ed.), 'Ancient Eaces' (exh. cat., The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) (New York 2000), pp. 151-2;
S. Walker & P. Higgs [eds.], 'Cleopatra of Egypt' (London, 2001), p. 318 [334].
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
1997 13 Oct-1998 5 Jan, India, New Delhi, National Museum, The Enduring Image
1998 9 Feb-3 May, India, Mumbai, Sir Caswasjee Jahangir Hall, The Enduring Image
2003 18 Oct-14 Dec, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2004 17 Jan-28 Mar, Kobe City Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2004 10 Apr-13 Jun, Fukuoka Art Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2004 26 Jun-29 Aug, Niigata Bandaijima Art Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2005 11 Apr-10 Jul, Seoul Arts Centre, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2005 25 Jul-8 Oct, Busan Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2005 27 Oct-2006 31 Jan, Haengso Museum, Keimyung University, Daegu, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2006 18 Mar-4 Jun, Beijing, Capital Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2007 3 Feb-27 May, Taipei, National Palace Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2007 14 Sep-2 Dec, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2009 1 May-20 Sep, Victoria, Royal BC Museum, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2009 11 Dec-2010 10 May, Madrid, Canal de Isabel II, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2019-2020, 27 Jul-16 Feb, Colchester, Colchester Castle, Essex Bling
- Acquisition date
- 1897
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1917,0601.2780
