Getty Museum

Wrist bracelet in the form of a coiled snake

Date

225–175 B.C.

Medium

Bracelet: Gold; Fastening pin: Copper alloy

Culture

Greek

Department

Jewelry

Institution

Getty Museum

One of pair (with 92.AM.8.7.2), intended to be worn at the wrist. The bracelet is formed of two snakes. The uppermmost coil forms the back end of the snake and the second coil represents the forepart. The snakes are depicted as coiled to strike, conferring great energy to the design of the bracelets. The pin-and-hinge construction is the same as used on the armlets (92.AM.8.6.1-.2): closure was effected by aligning attached loops and passing a pin through them, the final result imitating a length of bead-and-spool wire in order to disguise its function.

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