Lot 1806
Snake - Fashioned in Silver and Gold. Graeco-Roman Egypt, c. 1st century BC. - 1st century AD. The snake is a hollow tube of silver, formed with a tapering tail and realistically modeled head. The deeply socketed eyes may have once held glass gems, or enamel. The creature's neck and throat with incised details of its scaly hide. At the nose and mouth, a piercing containing a small length of ancient twisted gold wire, probably set to represent the snake's forked tongue. Snake in quite fine condition, with only four small splits in its hollow body. Interestingly, the piece was obviously interred among bronze objects, which in the burial conditions deposited a thin coating of copper over the piece. The silver underneath it has been exposed in several spots. Widest diameter: 3-1/4". Interesting and rare.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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