RomanBronze Snake Head Torc Style Bracelet

Roman, Imperial period. A penannular bracelet of leaded bronze, containing up to 11% lead. It is a solid hoop of round section that bends into an open circle, the same open-ended form as the torc. Each end ends in a small, blunt snake head. Rows of short incised strokes run back from each head along the body, suggesting scales and giving the serpents some texture without much modelling. The rest of the hoop is plain and smooth, with a dark green-black patina and touches of brighter green. The gap between the heads let the wearer ease the ring onto the wrist or upper arm. In the Roman world serpent jewelry was probably valued as much for protection as for ornament. Serpent-headed rings were among the most popular ornaments of the Roman Imperial period, made in gold for the wealthy and in bronze for everyone else. The snake carried good associations: it was linked with the household guardian spirit (the genius loci or Agathodaimon), with healing through Asclepius, and in Egypt with the cult of Isis. A coiled serpent on the arm was probably read as a small protective charm as well as an ornament. Adding lead to bronze made the molten alloy flow more easily, so it was cheaper and simpler to cast. That is typical of the everyday metalwork that turned this fashion into a common one. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. Item # 204606

Estimate:£224.35

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