300 - Cerasuolo coral sculpture depicting a female bust.

Cerasuolo coral sculpture depicting a female bust. Torre del Greco, second half of the 20th century Dimensions: 5.5 x 4 x 2 cm. Weight: 44.9 g. Carved from a single piece of Cerasuolo coral (Corallium elatius), displaying delicate shades of ivory, cream and salmon pink, with deeper orange hues in the recessed areas, depicting the bust of a young woman with idealised features, her head slightly tilted and turned to the right, framed by flowing hair and crowned by an elegant hat with an undulating brim.The face bears a gentle, contemplative expression, emphasised by half-closed eyes, delicately arched eyebrows, a slender nose and slightly parted lips suggesting a faint smile. The hair, arranged in long, sinuous locks, flows laterally in a fluid and dynamic movement, forming soft volutes that frame the face and cascade over the shoulders.Particularly refined is the rendering of the hat, characterised by a broad, irregularly shaped brim and a band decorated with a succession of fine diagonal incisions. The flowing contours of the brim harmoniously complement the movement of the hair, lending the entire composition a sense of lightness and natural grace.The work belongs to the artistic tradition of coral carving associated with Torre del Greco, an important centre for the working of this precious organic material, where, during the twentieth century, sculptural production gradually moved away from traditional iconographic models towards a freer and more contemporary figurative language.The female figure, characterised by idealised elegance and a pronounced stylisation of the features, reflects the decorative taste of the second half of the twentieth century, with particular emphasis on the fluidity of forms and the pursuit of a balance between naturalism and ornamental interpretation.The quality of the carving, the meticulous polishing of the surfaces and the skilful enhancement of the coral's natural shape demonstrate a high standard of craftsmanship, consistent with the production of workshops specialising in coral sculpture active in Torre del Greco. Item condition grading ***** excellent. No evident fractures, restorations, or visible repairs are apparent. The coral retains its original lustrous polish and displays excellent colour consistency throughout.