Elsa Peretti’s snake was modeled after a real rattlesnake tail given to her by a Texas friend. This memento became a talisman, and Peretti carried it around with her from the time she was a teenager. The Snake belt—which can also be worn as a necklace—is one of Peretti’s most complicated designs. With over 120 individual graduated bean-shaped links, the belt is completely articulated, offering fluidity of movement. It is flexible enough to hug the curves of any body. When first featured in Women’s Wear Daily in 1973, the belt was modeled by Peretti herself, paired with a calf-length cashmere sweater dress by Halston. Over the years, Peretti incorporated the sinuous, elegant line of her snake design into a belt buckle, hair band, necklace, choker, pendant, bangle, ring, and earring.