A Baroque coral set crucifix - image-1

Lot 779 Dα

A Baroque coral set crucifix

Auction 1184 - overview Cologne
19.11.2021, 11:00 - Decorative Arts
Estimate: 8.000 € - 10.000 €

A Baroque coral set crucifix

Carved coral figure of Christ beneath the INRI plaque with a skull below. The gilt copper cross decorated with black and white enamel and carved coral appliques. Minor losses and restorations. H 30, W 16.1 cm.
Attributed to Southern Italy / Trapani, first half 18th C.

The history of the coral manufactory of Trapani began even before the discovery of the large coral mine in the 14th century. Jewish families from the Maghreb moved to Sicily to earn a living by cleaning and processing the raw material extracted from the sea by local fishermen.
The small sculptures, cabochons and branches were inserted from behind into holes drilled in sheet copper. All of the appliqués, plaques, sculptures, mirror frames and writing implements produced in the manufactory share a common design characterised on the one hand by the limited colour palette of gold, red, and white, and on the other hand also by the density of detail. By the end of the 18th century, almost all the coral reefs had been run dry and the industry in Trapani ceased to exist.

Provenance

Private collection, Rome.