Elsa Peretti (American, born Italy, 1940). Belt, 1973. Sterling silver and enamel. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 2004 (2004.20).
With few exceptions, Elsa Peretti’s jewelry is inspired by nature or the gesture of the human hand, whether as spontaneous calligraphy or the pressure of the thumb in clay. The sensual lines of bones, shells, a kidney bean, or the drape of metal mesh may be seen in her work. In this instance, the articulated form of a snake is rendered in sterling silver. The snake’s jaw adjusts to clamp down on itself at any point of the wearer’s choosing, leaving the tip of the tail to hang like a pendant.
December 27, 2007 at 11:50 am
I was a devoted fan of EP from the beginning, when she did a few things for Halston. My first piece was a silver teardrop amulet bought for me by my late friend, Earl B in late 60s Detroit for perhaps, 20.00? Although my friends laughed at me, I told them: “one day her work will be in museums.” So, I was right! Thank you for including Elsa in your exhibition.
December 27, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Love it!
December 27, 2007 at 1:28 pm
There seems to be that certain fascination with anything serpentine in fashion.
Cavalli has done it, Versace has done it, Valentino as well, and many others. I find a certain sensual edge with snakes whether it be a snake pendant or a pair of heels in python skin- there’s just that really sexy imagery that springs up.
December 27, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Fashion Accessory or Children’s Toy, you decide.
December 27, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Nicely crafted piece. Plus I like the oruboros symbolism
December 27, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Very interesting item of jewelry. Bold, powerful!
Nancy Marie
of
NancyMarie Paris Accessories.
December 27, 2007 at 3:02 pm
i like this belt, nicely crafted, and the spine is depicted well
December 27, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Beautiful but — how shall I say it — a bit retardataire, no, even when produced in 1973? It is a lovely work with a certain macabre frisson, but so many others have done this in the realm of jewels, from the ancient Minoans to the jewelry designers of the Art Nouveau period to Paul Flato, et cetera, et cetera. What makes this particular expression worthy of a fan’s shiver? Is it the Peretti name, which remains a considerable though dimming one (it seems largely to rest on her early work for Tiffany)? If that is all, then this lovely belt is worth a second glance but no more than that.
December 27, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Freakish!!!!!!!!!
December 27, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Wear it to say, “Look! I’ve sinned!”
December 27, 2007 at 4:09 pm
looks like a live cobra!
December 27, 2007 at 4:52 pm
It looks so cute… Wear it or buy it or display. It’s awesome
December 28, 2007 at 10:27 am
thatd be so sick to wear as like a braclet that wraps around ur arm. or even a belt..
December 28, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Elsa Peretti has done it again! Zowie! how much fun would that be to wear as a belt, upper arm bracelet wrapped around a few times, necklace the possibilities are certainly endless..,
December 28, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Who would want to put a, er, um, snake against their neck?
December 29, 2007 at 6:39 pm
cute except its a snake but snakes can be cute sometimes
December 31, 2007 at 2:41 pm
I like this, a beautiful merge of different styles.
December 31, 2007 at 4:10 pm
IT’S JUST LIKE HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 1, 2008 at 6:44 pm
That’s an interesting piece–I wish I could see more of her stuff here.
January 3, 2008 at 4:30 am
I want to wear it !!!! Very nice Piece
January 3, 2008 at 12:54 pm
You need to add more stuff to the computer & in the room. Other than that you need a lot more light. But this is really cool.
January 3, 2008 at 1:03 pm
it’s cool
January 3, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I want one
January 3, 2008 at 1:10 pm
it is so sexy!
January 3, 2008 at 1:13 pm
LOOKS LIKE K-FED
January 3, 2008 at 1:14 pm
BUT I LIKE IT IF U KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!!!!!!!!!!
January 3, 2008 at 3:57 pm
OMG IT IS LIKE HARRY POTTER!
but i wouldn’t wear it.
January 3, 2008 at 5:02 pm
It kinda scares me. Its so Harry Potter. But I wouldn’t wear it because it supports slitherin house. I hate Draco Malfoy!!!!!!!
January 4, 2008 at 7:45 pm
We thought the snake charmer really had the movement in the joints that a real snake would have.I got my first Elsa Peretti piece not long ago, a silver heart necklace .All of her pieces are beautiful and they all have great designs on them.Monique enjoys how scary it looks.(she likes scary designs)
January 5, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I love this belt. It is beautiful and functional.
January 5, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I thought that this was a beautiful piece of jewelry.
January 5, 2008 at 5:17 pm
There’re really crazy dresses. And the hats are hysterical! But they are pretty!
January 5, 2008 at 5:29 pm
it’s a toy…
January 5, 2008 at 5:44 pm
SHINY. Besides that, it looks kinda cool.
January 6, 2008 at 10:21 am
As the onliest jewellery on a black trouser and black pull I would like to wear this belt .
January 9, 2008 at 1:46 pm
this very amazing …………………………………………………………….. i would luv to be a clothing DESIGNER just amazing i design my own clothing
January 10, 2008 at 10:38 am
Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!
January 12, 2008 at 4:18 pm
It is cool because is a sort of gold kind of color. It looks like it is moving.
January 15, 2008 at 2:16 pm
great choice of metal for the snake’s body
January 17, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Some of the pieces including the necklaces are delightfully outrageous. Humour in design is a wonderful contribution to expanding culture and interest for the new museum going generation. Right on!!!
January 19, 2008 at 7:46 pm
OMG!! NO WAY!! I’ve always wanted something like that!!! SOOOOOOOO cute!!!!
January 20, 2008 at 7:29 am
The snake seems so real cause of the used materials - it seems as she would begin to move in some seconds…
January 20, 2008 at 11:39 am
I quite enjoy this piece, its design, its look, and its symbolism.
I understand that some may think that the snake has been done and why not find something more creative, but I put forward the thought, must every single piece a designer makes be completely original in all ways? And those that aren’t, do they not deserve the same recognition as those that are?
I think that some of the draw to this piece is the connection to symbols throughout history. That gives the piece more meaning. Meanwhile, though the design is not unique, it is desirable.
Would I wear it? yes.
January 21, 2008 at 10:35 am
I WISH I HAD THIS BELT BECAUSE IT WOULD GO WITH MY NAVY BLUE PANTS. ALL THE BOYS IN MY FIRST GRADE CLASS WOULD SEE IT AND SAY “COOL BELT, HARRIS!” ALL THE GIRLS WOULD FAINT.
January 21, 2008 at 10:48 am
very cool and a great design
cooolio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 21, 2008 at 1:44 pm
the snake charmer is one of the most beautiful things i have ever saw. i think it is marvoulious!
January 24, 2008 at 10:42 am
The snake belt is very edgy. I could see myself wearing it on a night out.
Since its sterling silver it gives it a extra of glam to an outfit. Plus since you can adjust the jaw to pin itslef makes it so much convient.
January 26, 2008 at 2:36 pm
snake belt nice very ugly
January 26, 2008 at 6:05 pm
where can i order one?
January 27, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Elsa, you are the next Tiffany! Where are you now?
January 28, 2008 at 11:09 am
COOL!!!!! It is very shiny and kind of looks real except for the silver color!!!!
February 3, 2008 at 10:32 am
This was an amazing Idea that no one else that I know of with come up with this design
February 4, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I really like this belt and would wear it today if I could. I think it is interesting how snakes have been used as a motif in fashion throughout time. Ancient Egyptians often had accessories that were serpent designs and similar designs have appeared over and over again. I even own a snake bracelet which I purchases less than a year ago which shows the timelessness of this design.
February 8, 2008 at 4:47 pm
i hate snakes but for some reason this piece attracks me. this is one of the coolest pieces of jewlery in the house
February 13, 2008 at 7:45 pm
interesting and freakishly cool.
February 16, 2008 at 3:18 pm
OMG i love it…would be perfect for a night alone with me and my lover
February 17, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Thats so cool i wish i could have it but it probly cost like 9999999$ lol
February 18, 2008 at 2:29 pm
um……How do you wear it?
February 18, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Looks like something that would eat you if you werent carefull. i think it would be scary to see someone try to swallow it
(lol)
February 24, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I admire this kind of very technical work thst looks so simple. The clamp on the jaw of the snake is completely invisible and incredibly concieved. The linking of the vertibrae is beautifully assembled and polished. An incredible piece of work not to mention a fabulous accessory.
February 25, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I think the Chanels boots are very nice, and interesting, I would differently wear those.These boots are a winner, fabulous accessory to view, incredible work.
March 6, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I think that this Snake Charmer is beautiful! I would were one to school everyday. It looks so cool!
March 12, 2008 at 3:23 pm
the Snake Charmer was the main piece of jewelry that caught my attention in this whole museum. It was beautiful and the face of the snake just made it seem even more interesting to look at. It amazes me how this beautiful work of art was hand made. it must have took alot of time and patience and i give a lot of credit to Elsa Peretti, for I know she put a lot of time and effort into making this work of art. I congradulate her. Even after reading it, I was more interested in learning even more about what her stroy of creating this Snake Charmer was.
March 15, 2008 at 12:47 pm
fab. simple & elegant at the same time.
March 19, 2008 at 10:01 am
This is very strange I do not know why anyone would ever want to make this!
March 19, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Loved all the dresses, especially the Ives Saint Laurent. Thi is a sample to confirm that fashion is always in fashion!!!
March 20, 2008 at 12:21 pm
its sorta strange, doesnt look that nice!!
March 20, 2008 at 12:22 pm
it needs a make-over its real creepy
March 21, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Out of all the pieces featured in the exhibt that caught my eye, I would say this was the one I liked most. It’s bold, and in my opinion quite pretty. Mind you, I would never wear this myself; but I can easily see why it seems so popular.
~Erika [brokenwish.net]
March 21, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Really cool!!! I would toootally wear this its great!!!!!
March 23, 2008 at 5:27 pm
This is kinda weird! Not something I would wear but it is clever
March 26, 2008 at 10:06 am
SO COOL! I am like a total snake fan.i wouldn’t wear it ’cause it would bite me. Get it? I made a Pun! HAW HAW HAW HAW HAW HAW HAW! but i like, think the person who designed this has great taste.
March 27, 2008 at 11:44 am
Wowza. Nice! Very Lucius Malfoy. It’s kinda scary though 0_0
March 27, 2008 at 1:30 pm
looks more like a whip for girls do seduce men. looks scary. i would be scared,.
March 29, 2008 at 2:02 pm
cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 30, 2008 at 9:18 pm
this accessory is quite unique … it is innovative how the snake’s mouth is the clasp for the charm so you can vary the lengths … it would be interesting to see what other items this designer has made based on her use of nature in her works. Although I find it intriguing, I do not think that I would ever wear it, with my fear of snakes!… hehe..
April 12, 2008 at 7:16 pm
this charms my snake