CAPEZZALE, TRAPANI, LATE 17th TO EARLY 18th CENTURY In gilded brass, coral and silver, the central figure probably representing Saint Barbara; the wooden base on the reverse is of later date Dimensions: 31 x 21 cm (12 ¼ x 8 ¼ in.) Comparative bibliography: C. Del Mare & M. C. Di Natale, Mirabilia coralii. Capolavori barocchi in corallo tra maestranze ebraiche e trapanesi, Edizione Italiana, Artem, 2009. A gold brass, coral and silver Trapani capezzale, late 17th-early 18th century Coral has always been a highly prized material, used both in its raw form and to create complex objets d'art. Several production centres emerged in the 17th century, including Landshut in Bavaria, Spain and Sicily. Trapani was the most important of these, forging its reputation on the quality and finesse of its workmanship. Its growth was due to the Viceroy's Court, which commissioned all manner of fantasies from its craftsmen from the end of the 16th century until the 18th century. Trapani's production is characterised by the use of small elements of sculpted coral, in various shapes, mounted on gilded copper supports, sometimes combined with enamels to achieve a variety of effects. Coral, considered precious in the 16th century, was offered as diplomatic gifts throughout the European courts. Because of its rarity and the burgeoning interest in the natural sciences in Europe, it became one of the most popular materials for creating objets d'art for princely cabinets of curiosity.