KING OF PRUSSIA -- Frederick the Great (Frederick II of Prussia) 18th century Tassie

James Tassie of Glasgow (1735-99) developed the technique of glass very finely molded in miniature profile likenesses -- in which he competed with the “jasper” ceramic profiles of Josiah Wedgwood.
The smallest Tassies were made for mounting in rings, fobs and other jewelry, or for collectors to mount in albums.
Images were cast from famous gems of antiquity, and the popularity of his product was such that famous collections of ancient gems were made available to him. Images were made in both intaglio and cameo, and included famous persons of the 17th century and contemporaries.
Production of “Tassies” was continued by his nephew and partner William Tassie (1777-1860) followed by their successor James Wilson from circa 1840.