301 - PAOLO BATTILORO Floral Composition in Mediterranean Red Coral on a Carved Shell

PAOLO BATTILORO Floral Composition in Mediterranean Red Coral on a Carved Shell second half of the 20th century A refined sculptural composition created by assembling numerous pieces of Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum), finely carved to depict a luxuriant bouquet of roses, buds, small flowers, and leaves, mounted on a natural shell that has been elaborately carved and pierced with openwork decoration.The floral composition, characterized by an elaborate three-dimensional arrangement, is distinguished by the variety of forms and the meticulous rendering of botanical details. The flowers, carved with overlapping and deeply incised petals, alternate with small buds and plant motifs, creating a particularly rich and dynamic ensemble. The underlying shell, intricately carved with an elaborate arrangement of foliage and pierced scrollwork, forms an elegant ornamental frame, in which the pale surfaces contrast harmoniously with the intense red hues of the coral.The work belongs to the refined artistic tradition of Torre del Greco, an important center for coral and shell carving, where twentieth-century sculptural production developed a decorative language characterized by the exploration of original compositional solutions and particular attention to the expressive qualities of natural materials.The richness of the carving, the complexity of the assemblage, and the balance between the floral elements and the ornamental support demonstrate a remarkable level of technical skill, consistent with the artistic work of Paolo Battiloro, a carver active within the coral-working tradition of Torre del Greco.The engraved signature “Battiloro Paolo” appears on the reverse of the shell. Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 3.5 cm. Weight: 100.5 g. Item condition rating: **** good. The lot is in good condition, with normal signs of wear over time.