Auction KEW-AU10003 Antiquities, Islamic, and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art: Featuring Selections from the Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi Collection
By Kew Auctions
Oct 9, 2024
8 Chase Road Unit One Chase Centre London, NW10 6QD UK
The auction has ended

LOT 26:

A ROMAN - EGYPT GOLD RING IN THE FORM OF A COBRA SNAKE, 100 B.C.

Sold for: £700
Start price:
£ 320
Estimated price :
£400 - £600
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Auction took place on Oct 9, 2024 at Kew Auctions
tags:

A ROMAN - EGYPT GOLD RING IN THE FORM OF A COBRA SNAKE, 100 B.C.

This exquisite gold ring, dating to approximately 100 B.C., showcases the fusion of Roman and Egyptian artistry through its elegant depiction of a cobra snake. The ring is intricately crafted with the coiled body of the cobra forming the band, while the head and raised hood are rendered in remarkable detail, capturing the lifelike essence of this revered creature. The fine texture along the serpent's body mimics the scales.


In Egyptian culture, the cobra, often associated with the goddess Wadjet, symbolized protection and royal power, and its incorporation into jewelry would have served not only as a decorative piece but also as a powerful amulet. The combination of gold—a metal linked with the divine—and the cobra motif underscores the significance of this ring, likely worn by someone of high status to convey both their wealth and their connection to protective divine forces.


D:2.1cm 


Weight: 7g