Celtic Silver Druid Snake rare amulet pendant
07
days
22
hours
37
minutes
35
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 230 - € 280
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Celtic silver Druid Snake rare amulet pendant, made from a single silver wire in the form of a stylised snake, 34.4 mm long, dating to circa 300–100 BC, in good condition and strung on a modern leather cord with an integral suspension loop and a separate silver connection loop, acquired from an antique market in the Netherlands in 2024 from a previous owner also sourced in the Netherlands; certificate of authenticity available on request.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Celtic silver amulet pendant, made from a single silver wire showing a stylised snake with a curved, tapering body ending in a small rounded head. Complete with an integral suspension loop on top and an original silver connection suspension loop. The zoomorphic amulet will be delivered on a modern leather jewellery cord to allow for modern wear.
Size: ± 34,4 mm
Condition: good solid condition, wearable and strung on modern jewellery cord. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
SNAKE
In Celtic religion snakes were a symbol of fertility, healing, wisdom and rebirth. The shedding of skins by snakes represented regeneration, healing and rebirth.
The Celts esteemed serpents as mystical creatures of the Underworld and the Druids believed snakes had ancient knowledge and wisdom.
Many Celtic deities were associated with snakes.
Sirona, a Celtic goddess of healing and fertility was often portrayed with serpents. Her cult thrived around spas, healing springs and fountains in the Iron Age and Gallo-Roman era.
Cernunnos, the horned god, favoured snakes as the sacred creatures of his cult in Gaul and Britain. Cernunnos is portrayed holding a ram-horned serpent on the Gundestrup cauldron and on a rock carving at Val Camonica (Italy). Two horned serpents replaced the legs and feet of Cernunnos on a carving at Cirencester in Gloucestershire.
Abilus, Damona , Verbeia and the cult of the Matres or Matronae were also associated with snakes.
MATERIAL
This object has been carefully examined with regard to its material composition and surface characteristics.
Specialised laboratory analysis such as metallurgical testing (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting and is more commonly associated with academic or institutional research.
Destructive testing methods (such as acid testing) permanently damage the object’s surface and are not appropriate for archaeological material.
Historically, modern hallmarking systems did not exist. The alloy composition of gold and silver could vary depending on local resources, trade networks, recycling practices and prevailing economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Celtic silver amulet pendant, made from a single silver wire showing a stylised snake with a curved, tapering body ending in a small rounded head. Complete with an integral suspension loop on top and an original silver connection suspension loop. The zoomorphic amulet will be delivered on a modern leather jewellery cord to allow for modern wear.
Size: ± 34,4 mm
Condition: good solid condition, wearable and strung on modern jewellery cord. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
SNAKE
In Celtic religion snakes were a symbol of fertility, healing, wisdom and rebirth. The shedding of skins by snakes represented regeneration, healing and rebirth.
The Celts esteemed serpents as mystical creatures of the Underworld and the Druids believed snakes had ancient knowledge and wisdom.
Many Celtic deities were associated with snakes.
Sirona, a Celtic goddess of healing and fertility was often portrayed with serpents. Her cult thrived around spas, healing springs and fountains in the Iron Age and Gallo-Roman era.
Cernunnos, the horned god, favoured snakes as the sacred creatures of his cult in Gaul and Britain. Cernunnos is portrayed holding a ram-horned serpent on the Gundestrup cauldron and on a rock carving at Val Camonica (Italy). Two horned serpents replaced the legs and feet of Cernunnos on a carving at Cirencester in Gloucestershire.
Abilus, Damona , Verbeia and the cult of the Matres or Matronae were also associated with snakes.
MATERIAL
This object has been carefully examined with regard to its material composition and surface characteristics.
Specialised laboratory analysis such as metallurgical testing (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting and is more commonly associated with academic or institutional research.
Destructive testing methods (such as acid testing) permanently damage the object’s surface and are not appropriate for archaeological material.
Historically, modern hallmarking systems did not exist. The alloy composition of gold and silver could vary depending on local resources, trade networks, recycling practices and prevailing economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Celtic
Century/timeframe
300 - 100 BC
Name of object
Druid Snake rare amulet pendant
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2024
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2024
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
