Terphsicore

 

 

Excellent cameo depicting Terphsicore, the Muse of Dance and Choral song, her symbol is a Lyre as shown in this lovely cameo. The frame is very elaborate and masterly worked. Cameos carved in full body and frontal face, like this one, are very rare to find. This cameo is in mint condition and is a very desiderable collectors' piece.

A bit of history:

Terphsicore is one of the nine Muses in the Greek's mythology, she is one of the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. She rules over dance and dramatic chorus and later over the lyric poetry. Muse Terphsicore is the source of artistic inspirations. According to some traditions, she is the mother of the Sirens. She is usually represented as a pretty young woman wearing the long clothing of the chitara's players, while she plays the lyre.