Engraver William Brown mainly sought inspiration for his intaglios from classical history and more contemporary portraiture. He exhibited his work at the Society of Artists and later the Royal Academy, which makes it more than likely the woman depicted strumming her lute (or lyre) is the Greek goddess Erato, patron of both hymns and lyric or erotic poetry – make of that combination what you will!

Erata was one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology, goddesses of science, literature and the arts, who often enterained the gods on Mount Olympus with their music, poetry, singing and dancing.

What a stunning talisman for the arts this will make for one of you lucky, lucky people. A statement piece to inspire dancing in the most leaden of feet; song in the most toneless of ear.

Erotic poetry perchance? What, too far?!