Antique18K heart locket, bevelled glass pendant with artist painted lovers eye

Description

Georgian period 18K heart locket pendant with bevelled glass.  It contains a miniature painting of an eye
and the locket reverse contains a lock of hair.  Locket opens so one can easily replace the lock of hair.
Lover's Eye jewelry was popularized after the Regent, George IV of England, exchanged miniature painted eyes
with his mistress, Lady Fitzherbert  while he was married to  Caroline of Brunswick.  It was intended to be
a secret affair, and the eye could not be identified, while a more traditional portrait brooch could have been.  In the
Georgian period it was perfectly acceptable to have an affair, but not to reveal with whom.