Snake Trinket Box Appraisal

Coiled Adder Snake Trinket Box

This item is a decorative trinket box, crafted to resemble a coiled adder snake. The box consists of two main pieces: a lid forming the snake's body and head, and a shallow, oval-shaped base. The snake's body is predominantly light brown or beige with prominent dark brown or black cross-band patterns, characteristic of an adder. The texture appears to be finely detailed, possibly ceramic or a composite resin, with a glossy finish that reflects light, suggesting a glazed or polished surface. The snake's head, which forms the apex of the coiled lid, is detailed with black markings around the eyes and snout, giving it a realistic, albeit stylized, appearance. The underside of the lid and the interior of the base are a lighter, off-white, or cream color. The rim of the base shows a natural, unglazed earthenware-like finish on some edges, suggesting a ceramic construction. Inside the base, a small, colorful design is painted, featuring what appears to be a light blue or teal sphere or ornament with a swirling gold pattern, tied with an orange or red ribbon. The painting inside, especially the ribbon, suggests a delicate, hand-painted application. The craftsmanship seems relatively good, with the details of the snake's scales and eyes showing careful attention. There are no obvious signs of chips, cracks, or significant wear visible from the provided image, indicating it is in good condition. The item's function as a trinket box implies it is designed to hold small jewelry items, keepsakes, or other tiny valuables. Given its style, it likely dates from the latter half of the 20th century to the present day, consistent with decorative ceramic or resin animal figurines and boxes.