Victorian Gold Serpent Necklace with Heart Pendant
![](https://www-tc.pbs.org/prod-media/antiques-roadshow/__sized__/Images/SantaFe_20220614_08/202203T54/202203T54_6_001-crop-c0-5__0-5-676x380.jpg)
GUEST:
I got that from my grandmother. I understand she was from the U.K.
APPRAISER:
Any idea of how old it is?
GUEST:
I'm guessing it's maybe a turn of a century or someplace around there.
APPRAISER:
It's a serpent necklace. The symbolism of this piece is one of love. It hearkens back to the Greek images of Aphrodite with her companion serpent entwined, and it suspends a heart. Queen Victoria got married in 1840.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
And she wore as her engagement ring a serpent ring from Albert set with an emerald. And what we have here is a love token, a love necklace, from 1840s through the 1850s, give or take. It is gold, I tested it.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
It was higher than 14 and lower than 18.
GUEST:
Cool.
APPRAISER:
And 15-karat is an English assay, so...
GUEST:
Oh.
APPRAISER:
...all the pieces fit.
GUEST:
Yeah, they do.
APPRAISER:
It's a graduated, highly flexible serpentine chain made of separate links. It's set in the head with emeralds and diamonds. The eyes are rubies. Now, suspending from the serpent's mouth is a heart. And if I turn the piece over, you'll see, on the back of the heart...
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
...you'll see a little chamber. And it might be foggy
GUEST:
Yes, I was wondering what that was.
APPRAISER:
There's an oval panel of hair that's been woven into a fabric like the finest silk.
GUEST:
Oh.
APPRAISER:
And that is the hair of the loved one of the wearer of this necklace.
GUEST:
Wow. Had no idea.
APPRAISER:
Serpents were a, a symbol of love and a, a symbol of wisdom, as well. Very popular in the Victorian era. This is a nice early example. It's in perfect condition.
GUEST:
Good.
APPRAISER:
In a retail setting, this necklace would bring $8,000 to $10,000.
GUEST:
(gasps) Oh, really?
APPRAISER:
Yeah. It's a really nice one.
GUEST:
Oh, well, thank you.
Appraisal Details
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