A fine nicolo intaglio by G.B. Pichler. Bust of Flora. The elegant female effigy is turned to the left with her head in profile, capite velato; a flower crown (attribute of Flora) stands out on the top of the thick hair, in the area which is left uncovered by the veil, the which goes down till the ear, creating a puffiness at the level of the nape (a typical and recurrent detail in Pichler's production, see Sappho's miter), and then falling down upon the shoulders. Under the draped bust, there is the signature: ΠIX. (short form of ΠIXΛΕΡ, cfr. L. P. B. Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti, vol. I, p . 33 n. 131; p. 69 n. 493; p. 72 n. 537). The intaglio has been produced, with great artistry and technical competence (and signed), by famous engraver Giovanni Pichler (1734-1791), on a nicolo of a high gem quality, characterized by vivid and intense colours. The specimen is to be compared to a Paoletti glass mold showing a Flora, and drawn from a quite similar onyx cameo by Pichler, produced around 1787 (MR 26824, La collezione Paoletti, vol. I,p. 39 n.190, "Opera d'invenzione dell'Artefice. In Onice. Creduto antico"). The nicolo intaglio is characterized by a remarkable refinement for the depiction of both hair and face anatomy, whose details (lips, nostrils) are ascribable to the artist's best production. A plaster cast from this intaglio has been found within a set (grand Tour period, private collection). Among the numerous comparisons which can be referred to the artist and about the bust typology (veiled or with similar headgear) we mention: D. Scarisbrick, C. Wagner, J. Boardman, The Beverly collection of gems at Alnwick Castle, p. 119 n. 108: L. P. B. Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti, vol. I, p.34 n.143, p. 37 n.171; p. 39 n.190; p. 42 n. 219,221; p. 50 n.296. End of the 18th century (circa 1780-90).
15 x 19 x 3 mm.