ECUELLE AND PRESENTOIR WITH THE MEDICI COAT OF ARMS

Description:

Trapani, Sicily, 17th century
B. 17/D. 20,5 cm
Made of gilt copper and brass. Bowl, lid and plate with double walls and double base, inlaid with numerous coral cabouchons. A carved coral mask on the lid. The Medici coat of arms engraved on the rim of the plate. Slightly worn, age damages.
Species protection - subject to CITES regulations in case of export
German private collection, acquired before 2007.
The workshops of Trapani were famous for their outstanding, detailed works made of coral. This art form reached its peak in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The art of coral working in Trapani in the 17th and 18th centuries was used both in the creation of precious jewellery and in the production of liturgical and domestic objects. One of the peculiarities was the combination of coral with metals such as gold, bronze and copper. The history of Trapani's coral has ancient origins and already in the 12th century, the Arab author Idrisi praised the excellent quality of Trapani's red coral. However, the local industry fully developed after the discovery of numerous coral banks in the Trapani sea between 1416 and 1418 and in the vicinity of San Vito Lo Capo in 1439. These discoveries led to the immigration of numerous Jewish families from the Maghreb, who contributed to the processing and marketing of coral, which was later sold on markets throughout Italy. Despite the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, their contribution continued thanks to some converts to Christianity who remained to work in Sicily.