249 - AN ANTIQUE GEORGIAN GRAND TOUR PASTE INTAGLIO BROOCH, CIRCA 1829 in yellow gold, set with a brown paste intaglio moulded to depict the bust of a classical woman, inscribed 'Pichler' in Greek, within an ornate cannetille style frame, inscribed 'C & L Aio JGB May 1829', no assay marks, 3.8cm, 12.5g.

AN ANTIQUE GEORGIAN GRAND TOUR PASTE INTAGLIO BROOCH, CIRCA 1829 in yellow gold, set with a brown paste intaglio moulded to depict the bust of a classical woman, inscribed 'Pichler' in Greek, within an ornate cannetille style frame, inscribed 'C & L Aio JGB May 1829', no assay marks, 3.8cm, 12.5g. Catalogue Note: The signature ΠΙΧΛΕΡ refers to the distinguished Pichler family of gem engravers, active in Rome during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Among them, Johann Pichler (1734–1791) and his son Anton Pichler (1774–1827) were particularly celebrated for their mastery of hardstone intaglios, executed in a refined neo-classical style inspired by ancient Greek and Roman prototypes. Working at the height of the Grand Tour, the Pichlers produced gems that were highly sought after by European aristocrats and collectors, who valued them both as works of art and as intellectual souvenirs of classical antiquity. Their practice of signing works in Greek characters further reinforced the illusion of antiquity, aligning their creations with the aesthetic ideals of the period.