Most curious examples of snake-shaped jewelry throughout the ages

Various jewelry in the shape of a snake is classic and everlasting. You can see it in different cultures throughout the world and in different historical periods. Since ancient times, a snake was respected and arresting animal, there were also strong healing associations with snakes, so snake jewelry was popular in Ancient Egypt, Roman Empire, Ancient Greece, Western Asia, medieval Europe, 16th-19th-century Europe, etc. And such jewelry pieces are still common today. Let’s look at some of the most pretty and distinctive snake-shaped jewels created by humanity.

All the photos are from The Met Museum

Roman-era gold snake bracelet, the 1st century A.D.

Gold bracelet with three-headed snake from Northern Thailand, the 15th-16th century

Pair of silver bracelets with snake-head endings and engraved Arabic inscription, probably Central Asia or Iran, the 15th century

Gold rings with snake heads, the Roman Period, 1st century A.D.

Pair of silver bracelets with snake heads, Greek, the late 6th-5th century B.C.

Silver bracelet with 2 snake-head terminals, Ptolemaic or Roman Period, 304 B.C. – 364 A.D.

Silver snake bracelet from Persian Empire, ca. 280-180 B.C.

Nose ornament with snakes from Ecuador or Peru, the 2nd century B.C. – 2nd century A.D.