302 - CARLO PARLATI Oval Cerasuolo coral plaque depicting a young woman.

CARLO PARLATI Oval Cerasuolo coral plaque depicting a young woman. 1980s–1990s Dimensions: 5 x 2.5 x 0.8 cm. Weight: 12.3 g. An oval plaque carved from a single piece of Cerasuolo coral (Corallium elatius), displaying rich pinkish-orange hues with delicate lighter nuances, finely sculpted in high relief with the portrait of a young woman, depicted in a three-quarter view with her face turned to the right.The figure has harmonious, idealized facial features, with slightly half-closed eyes, a slender nose, and delicately parted lips suggesting a faint smile. Her face is framed by soft, wavy locks of hair emerging from beneath a knitted woolen beret, meticulously carved with a dense knitted texture and a broad ribbed band. The young woman wears a high-necked sweater, the fabric of which is rendered with particular attention to detail through a minute succession of incisions that reproduce the interwoven fibers and knitted pattern.The composition is distinguished by the refined contrast between the perfectly polished surfaces of the face and the richness of the decorative details on the clothing, achieved through skillful carving that lends depth and sculptural vitality to the entire work. The relief emerges harmoniously from the smooth background of the plaque, whose oval shape further enhances the elegance of the female profile.The work represents an interesting example of Carlo Parlati’s sculptural oeuvre, in which the traditional art of coral carving associated with Torre del Greco is reinterpreted through a distinctive personal style, combining figurative sensitivity, technical virtuosity, and an appreciation for contemporary subjects.Particularly significant is the choice of a female subject wearing modern clothing, a departure from the conventional mythological and allegorical representations of the coral-carving tradition. The artist thus transforms an image of everyday elegance into a refined sculptural portrait, in which the softness of the facial features contrasts harmoniously with the meticulous rendering of the different textile textures.The quality of the carving, the meticulous polishing, and the skillful enhancement of the coral’s natural chromatic nuances attest to Parlati’s particular sensitivity to the expressive potential of the material—a defining characteristic of his artistic production. Parlati’s characteristic engraved signature appears on the reverse. Antonio Uliano, Carlo Parlati. On the Coral Sculptures of Carlo Parlati, Ars Magistra Arts, Naples-Rome, 1983. Carlo Parlati is widely regarded as the most innovative figure in modern Italian coral sculpture. Trained in the centuries-old carving tradition of Torre del Greco, he transformed the ancient craft of coral carving into a truly contemporary sculptural language, elevating it beyond the realm of decorative arts to that of autonomous works of art. His body of work is distinguished by his ability to exploit the natural forms of coral as the generative element of each composition, skillfully integrating them with gold, silver, and hardstones to create highly original sculptural works. Among the most celebrated subjects in his body of work are Adam and Eve, Bacchus, Ecce Homo, Venus, allegorical figures, and numerous interpretations of Medusa—a theme particularly well-suited to highlighting the material’s extraordinary plasticity, expressive power, and dynamic qualities. Item condition rating: ***** excellent. No obvious fractures, restorations, or visible repairs are apparent. The coral retains its original lustrous polish and displays excellent color consistency throughout.