Description:

Egypt, Late Dynastic to Greco-Roman periods, ca. 664 BCE to 100 CE. A charming gilt copper snake effigy of a horned viper, a mythical creature known as Cerastes. The sinuous body is slender, tapering to a pointed tail the entire surface incised with linear markings as scales. The head features adorable circular eyes, mouth, and petite horns and downturned neck. The name Cerastes is Greek for "having horns," and mythical horned serpents are prevalent in Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern mythology, based on a real venomous horned viper found in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. This may have been a protective shrine effigy to ward against evil. Size: 8.65" L x 0.4" W (22 cm x 1 cm); 4" H (10.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex-John B. Kendrick II collection, Denver, Colorado, USA, acquired 1965 to 1990; John B. Kendrick II was that son of John B. Kendrick, Wyoming governor and US senator

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#172404

  • Condition: Surface abrasions and nicks, losses and fading to gilt, otherwise intact and very good. Green patina and dark toning.

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June 8, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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