Antique Georgian snake brooch gold pearls diamonds enamel gems ouroboros (7271)

Antique Georgian ouroboros snake brooch. 14k gold, pearls, diamonds, enamel and gems. Made in England, United Kingdom, late 18th - early 19th century.

Measurements: Weight is 6.6 grams. 1 3/8inches (34mm) long.

Description : Classic Georgian brooch that pulls out all the stops for sentimental jewelry of the period. Made of diamonds, blue guilloche enamel, pearls and gems that are either rubies or spinels (too small to test accurately). Red gold. The pearls are almost certainly natural, but have not been tested. Pearls are distinctively lovely in both size and color. Blue guilloche enamel was very popular in both England and France during the late 18th century. Snakes coiling around themselves, known as ouroboros, were popular themes as were flowers of every sort. Snakes symbolised long life. The bean shape of the brooch might have had some sort of significance, the meaning of which has been lost over time.
Hinged gold pin with simple c-clasp, typical of the period.
Unisex: While most likely made for a woman, today, men are increasingly wearing these wonderful old brooches.
Bean-shaped Georgian brooches are to be found, but not with these wonderful pearls, diamonds and enamel work. This brooch rises well above the usual in both workmanship and materials. Clearly, a luxury item at the time, it remainds as wearable today as it was over 200 years ago.

Marks and Metal: no marks, as is to be expected of jewelry of this age. Gold was acid tested and stayed for 14ct. 

Condition: Good with negligible wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.

PLEASE NOTE: the actual color of the enamel is blue as in Windsor blue, not purple as it appears due to the natural sunlight of Florida.