Coral Bas-relief Of The Nativity, Sicily (trapani), 19th Century

Relief depicting the Nativity

Coral (Corallium rubrum), carved and mosaiced.

Rectangular-shaped devotional relief, framed by rich Baroque carved coral decoration. In the center, a finely-worked Nativity scene showing the Virgin and St. Joseph in adoration before the Child, accompanied by angels, against an architectural background.

The set is surrounded by a mosaic of carved coral.

The whole is surrounded by an ornamental frame with scrolls, floral motifs and shell elements, characteristic of Trapani production.

The reverse is entirely covered with a mosaic of small coral plates in various hues, typical of these creations.

Technique: carved coral, mounted on support, coral mosaic reverse

Condition: small chips and edge wear, inherent to age

The workshops of Trapani, Sicily, were a major center for the production of coral objects for private devotion (capezzali) in the 17th and 18th centuries.
We believe this example was made in the mid-19th century in the Barocque taste?