A matching pair of arched bow brooches from ancient Greece. Made from silver, each brooch features five decorative mouldings along the bow; is decorated with a snake’s head at one end; and has a catch-plate on the other side to secure the (now missing) pin. The snake, by virtue of its association with Asclepius (the god of medicine), came to be regarded as a symbol of healing and protection. It is possible that these brooches were designed to invoke protection for the wearer, given the combination of the snake and the arched bow, which introduces the notion of attack. Measurements: L 4.5cm Provenance: Ex. German private collection, 1990s.