Art Deco Diamond Serpent Charm turquoise matrix An astonishing Georgian acrostic locket

An astonishing Georgian acrostic locket modelled as a purse

but I think it means "choose over all the rest" (as in I choose you over all the rest

and will have been sold as a Grand Tour souvenir from Pompeii

remember that you will die

twisted at the top to form a bail

Art Deco Diamond Serpent Charm turquoise matrix An astonishing Georgian acrostic locketDATE: Art Deco, c. 1920 Striking (literally) Art Deco period serpent pendant in 15k gold I want to say it's a viper? The snake is coiled around itself, jaws stretched wide about to strike it's prey: a millegrain bezel set old cut diamond. Stunningly realistic scale detailing hand engraved all down its length; and hand made in England during the 1920s. STONES Old Mine Cut Diamond MEASUREMENTS 1. 5 x 1. 4cm (not including jump ring) WEIGHT 1. 7g MARKS