Chalcedony Intaglio Of The Muse Erato By Giovanni Pichler (c.1734 - 1791)

A chalcedony intaglio of the Muse Erato 
by Giovanni Pichler (c.1734 - 1791)
 
Mounted in a late 19th century high carat gold brooch setting with pearls and old cushion cut diamonds. Erato was one of the nine Mousai (Muses), she was the goddess of music, song and dance.
 
Italian, second half of the 18th century
 
The setting measures 4.4 x 3.8cm
 
Comparative Literature;
For a remarkably similar example signed by Giovanni Pichler in the Museo Di Roma see image number 4: La Collezione Paoletti, Stampi in vetro per impronte di intagli e cammei, Vol 2; catalogue number 272; Inventory: MR 26906. 
 
Image number 5 is a wall painting of the Muse Erato from the Temple of Apollo, Pompeii, Southern Italy,  c.120 BC, which inspired Pichler to create this intaglio.