This image is an exact restored replica of the original Snake Goddess image found in Knossos, Crete, by Arthur Evans around the turn of the last century. The original was made of faience around 15 inches tall. There was a second figure, also of a snake goddess or perhaps a priestess, found together in an area of the excavation that Evans called the Triple Shrine. These images date from around 1500 BCE-just prior to the explosion of the volcano Thera and the subsequent earthquakes that wrecked the temple at Knossos. Also found with the image was a collection of small faience animals. Originally this image was erroneously reconstructed with one of the animals, a cat, perched on her hat.
The Sacred Serpent was honored originally for its practical function as a rodent killer in graineries and beehives. Rather than the personifacation of evil, these sensuous creatures were seen in both positive and negative aspects: as healers, guardians, and messengers of the Gods on one hand; or as the bringer of retribution to the wrongdoer, on the other. The snakes she holds appear to be the poisonous Asp Viper (Vipera aspis).
She is cast in durable waterproof polyresin, hand painted and then slightly aged to restore this piece to how she might have looked when she was sitting on an altar in the Triple Shine of the ancient Temple at Knossos in 1500 BCE. She is 10 3/4 inches tall.
| Availability: | Inventory is updated regularly. Items out of stock are indicated above with estimated time of arrival (ETA) when known. Not all manufacturers provide inventory data and even in stock items can be sold out without notice. We will notify you of any out of stock items as soon as possible or you can contact us in advance to verify availability. Out of stock items will automatically ship when available unless canceled by you. |
| *Average Delivery: | This is the estimated time for delivery within the USA and is subject to availability, seasonal sales volume, and other unforeseen delays. If you must have an item by a specific date, let us know in cart comments during checkout.
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| Express Delivery: | Not all items are available for express delivery. Items which are Made to Order or that require freight truck delivery are not, for example. If you require express delivery, you can contact us to verify it is available for that item. Overnight delivery is available in some cases but require a special shipping quote. Contact Us for details.
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| International Delivery | We ship from the US - add 10-15+ days to average delivery for most countries. Transit time will vary depending on customs & exact destination and we cannot guarantee delivery date. Import taxes are NOT charged by our cart. Your country may charge import duties, taxes, or fees before delivery - contact your local customs office for information. For faster shipping and pre-set charges, you may want to set up a US address with a freight forwarding company which also gives you free shipping from us if your order is $75 or more. We do not normally offer express shipping for international orders. Contact us for a quote if required - delivery dates are NOT guaranteed. |
| Returns | Most items can be returned or exchanged within 30 days of delivery. Some exceptions apply. See our full return policy for details. |
This image is an exact restored replica of the original Snake Goddess image found in Knossos, Crete, by Arthur Evans around the turn of the last century. The original was made of faience around 15 inches tall. There was a second figure, also of a snake goddess or perhaps a priestess, found together in an area of the excavation that Evans called the Triple Shrine. These images date from around 1500 BCE-just prior to the explosion of the volcano Thera and the subsequent earthquakes that wrecked the temple at Knossos. Also found with the image was a collection of small faience animals. Originally this image was erroneously reconstructed with one of the animals, a cat, perched on her hat.
The Sacred Serpent was honored originally for its practical function as a rodent killer in graineries and beehives. Rather than the personifacation of evil, these sensuous creatures were seen in both positive and negative aspects: as healers, guardians, and messengers of the Gods on one hand; or as the bringer of retribution to the wrongdoer, on the other. The snakes she holds appear to be the poisonous Asp Viper (Vipera aspis).
She is cast in durable waterproof polyresin, hand painted and then slightly aged to restore this piece to how she might have looked when she was sitting on an altar in the Triple Shine of the ancient Temple at Knossos in 1500 BCE. She is 10 3/4 inches tall.
Product Code: PT-12563 | Approximate Size (Inches): 3.00 wide x 7.50 deep x 10.50 high | Approximate Shipping Weight: 3.00 lbs.| Availability: | Inventory is updated regularly. Items out of stock are indicated above with estimated time of arrival (ETA) when known. Not all manufacturers provide inventory data and even in stock items can be sold out without notice. We will notify you of any out of stock items as soon as possible or you can contact us in advance to verify availability. Out of stock items will automatically ship when available unless canceled by you. |
| *Average Delivery: | This is the estimated time for delivery within the USA and is subject to availability, seasonal sales volume, and other unforeseen delays. If you must have an item by a specific date, let us know in cart comments during checkout.
|
| Express Delivery: | Not all items are available for express delivery. Items which are Made to Order or that require freight truck delivery are not, for example. If you require express delivery, you can contact us to verify it is available for that item. Overnight delivery is available in some cases but require a special shipping quote. Contact Us for details.
|
| International Delivery | We ship from the US - add 10-15+ days to average delivery for most countries. Transit time will vary depending on customs & exact destination and we cannot guarantee delivery date. Import taxes are NOT charged by our cart. Your country may charge import duties, taxes, or fees before delivery - contact your local customs office for information. For faster shipping and pre-set charges, you may want to set up a US address with a freight forwarding company which also gives you free shipping from us if your order is $75 or more. We do not normally offer express shipping for international orders. Contact us for a quote if required - delivery dates are NOT guaranteed. |
| Returns | Most items can be returned or exchanged within 30 days of delivery. Some exceptions apply. See our full return policy for details. |
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