Help identifying a military adornment

[mthunter]

I've seen this piece many years ago in a magazine article or online.
The top part is a lions head and below a serpent in the form of a hook.
I'm almost positive it's a military adornment of some kind.

Wondering what I may have here has bothered me for years and I finally
dug it out of storage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CSA GHOST]

It is most likely British. The Lions head and snake are common motif's of the British Empire.