The snake is a symbol of power and strength. In some philosophies, the snake symbol is also associated with good luck.
- Engraved mystical snake symbol pendant
- Made of sterling silver and brass
- The pendant measures 1" tall (plus hook), and 0.5" wide
- Light oxidized aged finish
- Sold as a pendant, the chain is sold separately
- Pendant is made in India
design: An oval sterling silver frame surrounds a warm brass insert engraved with a coiling snake, its dotted trail marking the path of the body; a cluster of three graduated silver beads anchors the base of the frame.
size: Pendant measures 1" tall (plus bail) and 0.5" wide. Chain sold separately.
material: Sterling silver and brass.
features: Engraved brass insert, oxidized aged finish, granulated silver bead detail at base, sterling silver bail
care: Wipe with a soft polishing cloth and store in a dry pouch to protect the oxidized finish from tarnish-causing moisture and everyday lotions.
disclaimer: As a handworked piece, slight variation in the oxidized finish and engraving is normal and part of its individual character.
The Story
The snake is one of the oldest recurring motifs in Indian metalwork, appearing across jewelry, temple carving, and folk art for centuries. It's most often read as a symbol of protection and vital strength, and its habit of shedding skin has long made it a natural stand-in for renewal and good fortune, an association that carries directly into this pendant's engraved design.
Here the snake is rendered simply: a single engraved line coiling across a brass plaque, framed by small punched dots that suggest scattered ground or falling rain. That plain, linear style is typical of Indian brass and silver pendant work, where the motif is scratched or chased into the metal rather than built up in relief, keeping the image graphic and legible at pendant scale.
Setting the engraved brass into a heavier sterling silver surround, and darkening the recesses with an oxidized finish, is a common way jewelers in India contrast a warm accent metal against silver while making the engraved lines read clearly against their background.
A piece like this starts with a small brass blank, hand-engraved with a graver or fine chisel to cut the coiling snake and its dotted trail into the surface. The engraved brass is then set into a cast or hand-formed sterling silver frame, and the whole piece is treated with an oxidizing solution that settles into the engraved lines and recesses, darkening them so the design stands out against the polished silver. A small cluster of silver beads is soldered to the base of the frame as a finishing detail before the piece is cleaned and polished.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: India
- Craft Tradition: Hand-engraved silver and brass metalwork
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a graphic, symbol-driven pendant with warmth from mixed metals
- Wear It With: Suspend it from a simple sterling silver chain and let it stand alone as a focal pendant, rather than layering it under other necklaces.
- Purpose: Everyday wear, gifting, layering piece for a mixed-metal jewelry collection
- Metal: Sterling silver and brass
Questions & Answers
Does this pendant come with a chain?
No, the pendant is sold on its own; the chain is sold separately so you can choose the length and style you prefer.
What do the two metal tones mean?
The pendant combines a brass insert, engraved with the snake motif, set into a sterling silver frame, giving the piece its warm-and-cool mixed-metal look.
Will the oxidized finish wear off?
The darkened finish sits in the engraved recesses and is meant to stay there with normal wear; avoid harsh polishing that could lift it, and use a soft cloth for cleaning instead.
Is the pendant true sterling silver?
Yes, the frame and bail are sterling silver; the engraved center panel is brass.
Why might my pendant look slightly different from the photo?
Because the design is hand-engraved and finished by hand, small variations in the line work and oxidized shading are normal and make each pendant unique.
