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. 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 three-quarter view with her face turned to the right.The figure features harmonious, idealised 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 woollen 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 reproducing the interwoven fibres 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 of the clothing, achieved through skilful 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 of contemporary subjects.Particularly significant is the choice of a female subject wearing modern clothing, departing 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 skilful enhancement of the coral's natural chromatic nuances testify to Parlati's particular sensitivity to the expressive potential of the material, a defining characteristic of his artistic production.The characteristic engraved signature of Parlati is present on the reverse. Antonio Uliano, Carlo Parlati. Sulle sculture in corallo di Carlo Parlati, Ars Magistra Arts, Napoli-Roma, 1983.Carlo Parlati is widely regarded as the most innovative figure in modern Italian coral sculpture. Trained within 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 oeuvre is distinguished by the ability to exploit the natural forms of coral as the generating 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 production are Adam and Eve, Bacchus, Ecce Homo, Venus, allegorical figures, and numerous interpretations of Medusa, a theme particularly well suited to emphasizing the material's extraordinary plasticity, expressive power, and dynamic qualities. 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.