possibly a biscione (serpent devouring a human)

possibly a biscione (serpent devouring a human) , circa late 1800s

Where object was made: Kingdom of Italy (present-day Italy)

Material/technique: brass

Credit line: Source unknown

Accession number: 1952.0101

Not on display

Add to portfolio

If you wish to reproduce this image, please submit an image request

Images

Label texts

This curious snake devouring a human is called a biscione; a symbol that originated as a family emblem of the Italitan House of Visconti during the 11th century and eventauly became the symbol of Milan. The serpant is usually depected in blue, which denoted power and loyalty, whereas the human was viewed as the Visconti’s enemies. Snakes consuming humans also show up in Mesoamerican, Buddhist, an Greek mythology.