Double-headed, entwined serpents

[Iron Buzz]

A friend found this today at a homesite that existed between 1857 and 1940. Haven't been able to find anything quite like it. Plenty of entwined snake/serpent pins and brooches, but note that one snake has two heads. It was gilt at one time. Friend says there is no sign of a pin on the back. There was probably a 3rd snake head on the right, since that snake has no head.

It is probably 2" long, stamped brass.

 

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[fyrffytr1]

Maybe the second snake had two tails? Is that a man made hole near the broken end or damage?

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

It looks like this piece has been exposed to heat or fire at some point... is this possibly a small nail hole?
I'm thinking it was probably furniture hardware/decoration.
Dave

 

[DCMatt]

Victorian serpent stick pin - missing the pin...

Queen Victoria’s engagement ring was a band in the form of a serpent. The snake became a symbol of eternity and everlasting love. Popular motif in jewelry of the time...

 

[Iron Buzz]

It looks like this piece has been exposed to heat or fire at some point... is this possibly a small nail hole?
I'm thinking it was probably furniture hardware/decoration.
Dave

That looks to me to be about the size of a small rivet hole... I wonder if another snake head was riveted to it there?

 

[Iron Buzz]

Victorian serpent stick pin - missing the pin...

Queen Victoria’s engagement ring was a band in the form of a serpent. The snake became a symbol of eternity and everlasting love. Popular motif in jewelry of the time...

Thanks for the idea, but serpents, even entwined serpents, are extremely common in jewelry. Double-headed serpents are common in Aztec culture.

Wow!! Take a look at the Google Images for "Double Headed Snake"!

 

[DCMatt]

Thanks for the idea, but serpents, even entwined serpents, are extremely common in jewelry. Double-headed serpents are common in Aztec culture.

Wow!! Take a look at the Google Images for "Double Headed Snake"!

Do a Google image search on 'Victorian entwined serpents'. It was an extremely popular motif and remained popular through the Art Nouveau period that followed Queen Victoria's time.

Also, given the composition and style of the piece along with the time frame and location of your house site, I'm fairly confident it is not Aztec. But you are free to draw your own conclusions...

 

[Iron Buzz]

Do a Google image search on 'Victorian entwined serpents'. It was an extremely popular motif and remained popular through the Art Nouveau period that followed Queen Victoria's time.

Also, given the composition and style of the piece along with the time frame and location of your house site, I'm fairly confident it is not Aztec. But you are free to draw your own conclusions...

I didn't think for one second that it was Aztec... just pointing out that the symbolism is widespread. Sorry for any confusion. Yes, I know that it was common. But I don't see any with double heads.