[spankalib]

Haha! So I checked more closely for Zampognari (thanks for that wonderful, evocative story eta!). Not as unusual as I first thought! ‘Pipers’ are also pictured in:

#1 by Carlo Saracini
#3 by Sebastiano Conca
#9 by Jan Cossiers
#13 probably (the boy blowing on something on the far right)
#17 by De Crayer
#20 by Jordaens (although it could be, arguably, “just a flute”)
#25 by Domenichino
#29 by Van Der Goes (although it could be, arguably, “just a flute”)
#33 by Jan Steen
#39 by Von Aachen
#45 by Reni
#47 by Bronzino

IOW, fully 25% of these selections.

I learned something in searching for Zampognari.
Each of these works evokes differing emotions. Fantastic!

[Hebrews 11:6]

As ever, your observational initiative wins the day, John.

And what better occasion on which to blow those pipes!

[etabeta]

The zampognari are often accompanied by another shepherd playing a piffero (fife), also called a ciaramella. Glad you found so many of the paintings having these instruments.