Imago Corvi Logo

CHAMPLEVÉ GALLERIES
OTHER GALLERIES
NEWS
TEACHING
MUSIC
ABOUT THE ARTIST
CONTACT
ABOUT ENAMELING
COMMUNITY ACTIVISM
LINKS
ABOUT THE CELTS

AN DROICHEAD

  STORE

 

Champlevé Galleries: ..........Brooches ........  Earrings ........ Necklaces  ........ Framed Panels ........ Commissions ........ Archives

ARCHIVES - Coiled Snake
Next to birds, snakes are probably the oldest creatures to be connected with divine power. They were particularly associated with the gods and goddesses of the underworld, probably because the snake lived in the ground. Consequently, it was also a symbol of the earth element.

Because the ancient people saw the snake shedding its skin, they thought it was shedding its old age and becoming young again. It was therefore a powerful symbol of regeneration. There never were any snakes in Ireland, but the Celts brought with them a cult of the snake. The story of St. Patrick banishing the snakes from Ireland is probably an allegory for banishing the cult of the snake.

This snake is based on a stone carving from an Iron Age hill fort in northern Spain (Galicia)

From the Aberdeen Bestiary (circa 14th c):
"...the snake... glitters with such a variety of colour on its back that it slows down those who look at it on account of its markings. And because it is not a keen crawler and cannot overtake the prey it pursues, it catches those who are stunned by the marvel of its appearance. It gets so hot that even in winter it casts off its burning skin...


PURCHASE NOW ON

Champleve enamel Celtic Snake with cloisonne detail
Colour: Porcelain/Bluebird w/ gold foils
Size: 1 1/2" x 1"

All brooches can also be ordered as necklaces

 

TO ORDER: e-mail: imagocorvi AT gmail.com 
(please replace the AT with @)
All pieces available in other colours

back to the top

................................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

all text and photographs © 2001 - 2009,
Catherine Crowe