Charles Edward Stuart (1720-88) or Bonnie Prince Charlie was the grandson of the exiled Catholic king James II (ruled 1685-88). He was the last serious Stuart claimant to the throne and led the unsuccessful Jacobite rebellion of 1745-46. Medals, jewels and small images circulated amongst Jacobite supporters and were a key way to keep up interest in the cause and for supporters to identify themselves. The contemporary spy 'Pickle' described the arrival of an Irish priest in 1750 who had carried from Paris to London 'a quantity of coloured Glass Seals with the Pretender's Son's Effigy, as also small heads made of silver gilt about this bigness, to be set in rings, as also points for watch cases, with the same head, and this motto round "Look, love and follow" '.
The onyx cameo of Bonnie Prince Charlie was made in Italy in the 18th century and would have been worn by a Jacobite supporter. The gold setting may be slightly later.