Pinchbeck type gilt yellow metal & glass tassie, c. 1840. 13/16" x 3/8". Some wear & tarnish/gilding loss as expected for this age. Three masted ship on stormy seas and the words "SUCH IS LIFE" above - ya gotta go with the flow / life sometimes sucks for everyone and you can't do anything about it. This was a tassie - made from a durable colored glass paste developed by Scottish gem engraver named James Tassie (and later, his nephew William) in the 18th and 19th centuries. Lower priced than hand-engraved intaglios.