Celtic Bronze Snake, Bracelet
07
days
08
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04
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14
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Current 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 € 180 - € 220
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 Bidder 8313 | €1 |
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Celtic bronze bracelet named Snake, penannular with snake-head terminals, dating to 800–400 BC, diameter about 77.6 mm, in good condition with patina and authentic original.
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 bronze bracelet of penannular form, fashioned from a solid round-section rod with gently tapering terminals. The ends are modelled as stylised snake heads, facing one another in a poised, symmetrical arrangement.
-> Snakes are often associated with protection, renewal, and continuity in ancient symbolism.
Diameter: ± 77,6 mm
Condition: intact and in good solid condition. Attractive patina with malachite and azurite. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> While largely undecorated along the body, the carefully formed serpent terminals add both visual interest and symbolic depth, reflecting a refined yet understated craftsmanship. Such pieces functioned not only as personal adornment but may also have carried amuletic significance.
-> 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.
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 bronze bracelet of penannular form, fashioned from a solid round-section rod with gently tapering terminals. The ends are modelled as stylised snake heads, facing one another in a poised, symmetrical arrangement.
-> Snakes are often associated with protection, renewal, and continuity in ancient symbolism.
Diameter: ± 77,6 mm
Condition: intact and in good solid condition. Attractive patina with malachite and azurite. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> While largely undecorated along the body, the carefully formed serpent terminals add both visual interest and symbolic depth, reflecting a refined yet understated craftsmanship. Such pieces functioned not only as personal adornment but may also have carried amuletic significance.
-> 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.
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
800-400 BC
Name of object
Snake, Bracelet
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
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.
