Rare high carat gold heart-shaped serpent jewel containing a bloodstone and paste cameo portrait of George III by James Tassie c.1775.
The gold work is finely chased and textured,the transculent central bloodstone set within a milled gold edge. The central heart is hinged into the mouth of the snake and there is a small loop to the back of the head probably originally intended to be sewn onto a presentation ribbon. A chain can easily be run through the loop at the top of the serpent's body.
The exact James Tassie portrait can be found in the Royal Collection set to a ring while an almost identical example of this snake jewel(set with a slightly earlier Tassie portrait of the King) is recorded as being gifted by  George III to the actor David Garrick and was sold at Bonhams in 2017.
James Tassie (1735-99) and the chemist Dr Quinn developed a glass paste that could successfully imitate antique cameos and his work is regarded as the most exquisite of its kind.
1.5 inches by 1.25 inches.