-Italian Antique 18th Century Mythological Carved Coral In 18Kt Gold With Diamonds

Antique Italian carved coral mounted in gold.

Exceptional antique carved coral piece, made in Napoles Italy back in the late 18th century. This coral is very rare and is carved from the red ox-blood variety depicting the mythological figure of the Bacchus triumph, dressed and enthroned in a carriage of sea shells and holding a bunch of grapes and vines. The coral piece is mount in a customized adapted setting, which is made up in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with high polished finish. It is fitted at the reverse with a hinged pin bar and a trombone security lock.

Bacchus

Dionysus for the Greeks, was the god of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine, of fertility, orchards and fruit, vegetation, insanity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, festivity and theatre in the ancient Greek culture. The iconographic theme on this piece refer to the legend of the triumph of Dionysus, or as the Romans called him, Bacchus the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, the son of Zeus and Semele. The Bacchanalia was a religious festival in honor of the wine god, Dionysus.

About This Mediterranean Sardinian Coral

The carved coral displayed in this piece is magnificent, from the Sardinian region in southern Italy. The carving display exceptional red saturation, even color and unspotted surfaces. Red coral, or Corallium rubrum, is a branch-forming coral species found in the Mediterranean Sea close to Sardinia and is one of the most valuable of all precious

Diamonds: Mounted in bezel settings, with 3 round brilliant cut diamonds, 0.27 carats, white colorless F color, VS-2 clarity.

Coral: Mounted by several prongs, with 1 piece of natural Sardinian ox-blood red coral.

Birthstone: Coral for the month of April.

Weight: 31.40 Grams, (20.13 Dwt).

Measurements: 55 mm by 32 mm by 18 mm (2.16 x 1.26 x 0.71 Inches).

Hallmarks: Unmarked, electronically tested for the assay of the 18kt gold, .750/.999 Au.

Neapolitan coral history

They started to be fished extensively and worked in Torre del Greco Napoli, in the year 1400, at the time when Livorno held the monopoly on the raw coral. Besides its apotropaic virtues, people started to associate coral to the marvelous capacity of the material to be processed and to the great skills of the artisans, comparable to that of an alchemist or demiurge. Thanks to the Bourbons, in 1715 the town of Torre del Greco became one of the most important centers in the processing and carving of coral. The king supported the development of craftsmanship by reducing the tax on imported raw coral, though he couldn’t start a factory in the town because of the boom of the French Revolution and of the eruption of Vesuvius in 1794. Ferdinando IV of Bourbon founded the first factory for the manufacturing of coral in Torre del Greco. At the time, the production of sacred objects was replaced by the creation of ornaments and everyday objects, like combs, clips and paper knives to satisfy the requests of emerging bourgeoisie. Fishermen of Torre del Greco risked going up to the African coasts, winning over other competitor towns and thus turning Torre del Greco into the main center in Italy for coral processing. Giovanni Della Rocca, member of Parliament, obtained a decree in 1876 which established the School of Coral engraving and Industrial artistic design in Torre del Greco. The town thus became one of the world leading centers in the processing of coral and shells, devoted to the education and training of young people in the art of engraving. Indeed, the coral School in Naples is still the leader in the most modern methods of processing cameos and coral, above all in the mentioned area of Torre del Greco.

Collateral: It is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.

Condition: The overall condition of this piece is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. All gemstones are secured in the settings. This brooch has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: P111923MINM/.7548