An unusual enamel locket pendant

An unusual enamel locket pendant, 19th century, composite, the circular gold locket applied with painted enamels depicting a scene of Pero breast feeding her father Cimon, opening to reveal a plain interior, the reverse with an engraving of Rococo inspiration, length 2.8cm including bail, back panel possibly later added

The unusual scene of a woman secretly breast feeding her imprisoned father, who has been sentenced to death by starvation, is from the story 'Roman Charity', recorded in circa 30 AD by the ancient Roman historian Valerius Maximus, as a parable of filial piety. A painting depicting this scene by Peter Paul Rubens, dated 1612, can be found in the Siegerland Museum in Germany.