Italian Hand Colored Engraving by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein: Based on the Original Collection of Sir William Hamilton's Ancient Vases

One woman winds thread in her lap, a second holds up a hand mirror, and the word KALOS hangs over them all.

This hand colored engraving, based on the original collection of Sir William Hamilton's ancient vases, is after Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein, from Naples, Italy, around 1791, in ink on paper. Greek vase painters often added the word kalos, meaning beautiful, to their scenes, usually in praise of a young man of the day. The seated woman works at a length of thread on a curved chair. Beside her, one companion lifts a round mirror and another stands with a beaded strand. The image is 10.75 inches wide and 6.75 high.

Domestic life, with a compliment written on the wall.