An agate cameo by G.A. Santarelli, mounted in a precious gold brooch with enamels and rubies. Erato, muse of poetry and choral singing. The elegant female figure is depicted with the lyra in her hands, the feet lifted up from the ground and the dress blowing in the wind. Such model most likely derives from an ancient one, as evidenced by the cast (within the Paoletti repertoire) classified as a work by Antonio Santarelli (1758-1826) and referred to as "Citerista, da una pittura di Ercolano" - "zitherist/guitarist, from a painting in Ercolano" (see the wall paintings of Pompeii). The cameo is signed SANTARELLI F. Work carried out with artistry. The face in three quarters, bent downwards, is characterized by exquisite engraving details, while the full-length figure is conceived according to the typical neoclassical cold elegance. The gem is broken into two parts, but firmly held by the setting of the brooch. For any insight: Lucia Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti, vol. 2, p. 125 n.21. End of the 18th - Beginning of the 19th century.
Intaglio 26 x 36 x 6 mm; Brooch 39 x 48 mm ; gr. 16,43.