St. Sebastian , Italian, Sicily, 18th century

St. Sebastian , Italian, Sicily, 18th century

coral, silver, gilt bronze and copper. Estimate 20,000—25,000 GBP. Sold 22,500 GBP

NOTE: The Arte dei Corallari, the guild of coral workers, was established in Trapani on the southern coast of Sicily in 1628. Due to its geographical position with extensive coral banks, it became one of the principal commercial ports of the Mediterranean, exporting intricate coral and goldsmiths' works throughout the Mediterranean basin.

RELATED LITERATURE: Mirabilia Coralii. Capolavori barocchi in corallo tra maestranze ebraiche e trapanesi, exh. cat. Palazza Vallelonga, Torre del Greco, 2008

Sotheby's. Old Master Sculpture and Works of Art. 09 Jul 09 02:30 PM. London www.sothebys.com