• Material:  Sardonyx Shell
• Date and Origin: Italy circa 1840
• Frame: Frame is English,  15 K  tested
• Size: over 2  3/32" by 2 "
• Conditions: Mint.

This is a cameo of surpassing beauty. Museum Quality cameo,  the subject of this cameo is rarest and never seen before now. It is, in my opinion the Muse Erato. She was the Muse of the of lyric poetry, especially love and erotic poetry. She is often shown with a wreath and a lyre, sometimes with  tablet and  stylus. She is always depicted companied with a putto with quiver for his arrows.  This is a more than museum quality cameo. It is a sculpturesque one, as the relief of the carving is very high. Look at the tablet she's holding, the page has script on it. It is amazing. Behind them there is a landscape. Again note the carving of the tree, the clothes she wears. Everything is masterly carved, every details is so well rendered that seems to jump out of the cameo. I have no other words to describe it. Too many details to talk about!   This subject is peculiarly rare and is object of desire for many collectors. A  more than desirable cameo for any collector.