Vintage Greek Bronze Enamel Bottle Opener Crete Minoan Snake Goddess Souvenir
£20.00
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Vintage Greek Bronze Enamel Bottle Opener Crete Minoan Snake Goddess Souvenir
£20.00
Item Overview
- Type: Vintage Souvenir Bottle Opener / Mid-Century Barware
- Designer: Hellenic Folk Art Artisan
- Brand: Unbranded
- Manufacturer: Greek Artisan Foundry
- MPN: Does Not Apply
- Place of Origin: Crete / Athens, Greece
- Style: Classical Antiquity Revival / Cloisonné Style Folk Art
- Colour: Rich Emerald Green, Oxblood Red, Pastel Pink, Cream, Polished Gold Bronze
- Design Era: Mid-Century Retro / Space Age Tourism Boom c. 1960s–1970s
- Material: Solid Cast Bronze / Brass with Kiln-Fired Inlaid Champlevé Enamel
- Set Includes: One Double-Sided Figural Bottle Opener
- Features: Two Unique Mythological Designs, Heavy-Gauge Metal, Top Accent Finial
- Condition: Very Good Vintage Condition
- Size and Capacity: Handheld bar tool, measuring approximately 11 cm in length and 5 cm in width.
Dating & Historical Context
- Dating: This collector’s piece dates strictly to the mid-century Greek tourism boom c. 1960s–1970s. The stylized, thick-walled brass/bronze alloy frame and the opaque, glossy champlevé enamel fill method are highly diagnostic of Athenian and Cretan workshop souvenirs from this vibrant era.
- Historical Note: A stunning fusion of functional barware and ancient social history, this double-sided opener showcases two legendary archetypes of Aegean antiquity. Side A depicts a stylized profile portrait of a classical figure, drawing direct stylistic inspiration from the famous Prince of the Lilies or Knossos palace fresco motifs. Side B features a detailed representation of the iconic Minoan Snake Goddess, originally discovered by Sir Arthur Evans at the Palace of Knossos, Crete. Showing the deity or priestess in her traditional tiered skirt and open bodice while defiantly holding up dual serpents, this image historically symbolized fertility, earth sovereignty, and underworld protection, making this item a fantastic talking piece for a modern retro home bar or curiosity cabinet.
Description
A remarkably vivid and heavy piece of European mid-century folk art, this vintage Greek bottle opener offers incredible decorative charm. Cast from a thick grade of solid golden bronze, the flat oval body is filled with beautifully detailed, high-contrast poured enamel panels that depict iconic figures of classical mythology.
Expert Identification & Design Features:
- Double-Sided Craftsmanship: Unlike single-sided variants, this premium tool features two entirely distinct mythological illustrations on its faces, doubling its display value on a back-bar shelf.
- Champlevé Metal Borders: The raised polished metal lines isolate the colour pools beautifully, creating a magnificent stained-glass or cloisonné aesthetic that catches the light cleanly.
- Flared Finial Handle: The loop crown terminates in a decorative three-pointed fleur-de-lis style finial accent that acts as an elegant structural flourish.
Condition Report
This item is in very good vintage condition, exhibiting excellent preservation for its age. The kiln-fired enamel faces remain highly vibrant, glossy, and uncracked, with no major chips, deep pitting, or colour loss to the main figures. The solid bronze chassis shows a rich, authentic golden-brown age patina with only minor surface handling lines and micro-scratches commensurate with light use. The opening lip teeth are crisp, perfectly straight, and fully functional with no structural bends or blunt crushing. Please see the detailed gallery images for a closer look at the surface patina and enamel borders.
Shipping & Logistics
- Domestic Shipping: FREE UK TRACKED DELIVERY.
- Packaging: Wrapped securely in thick bubble cushioning inside a heavy-duty padded envelope to protect the enamel plates completely during postal handling.
- Dispatch: Order before 12.00pm and we ship same day.
Returns & Payment Policies
We want you to be delighted with your heritage find.
- Not as Described: In the unlikely event of an error in our listing, we will provide a full refund and cover the return postage costs.
- Change of Mind: We accept returns within 30 days; however, in these instances, the buyer is responsible for the return shipping costs.