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Lot Essay
The highly specialized production of gilt-bronze works of art richly decorated with coral florished at Trapani in Sicily from the 16th century until the end of the 18th century. This rare and precious material had its mythical origin in the blood that flowed from the head of the gorgon Medusa when she was slain by Perseus and, much sought after during the period of the Renaissance, became one of the materials favoured for the fashioning of works of art for princely Kunstkammern.
The Trapani workshops were patronized by the Court of the Viceroys in Sicily, and many pieces of Trapani work must have found their way to European courts as diplomatic gifts. However, the majority of the output seems to have been destined for the local market or for export to Southern Italy or Spain and the mostly religious works, such as crucifixes, monstrances and holy water-stoups, were absorbed by church treasuries, and secular pieces were acquired by the nobles and the court.
The Trapani workshops were patronized by the Court of the Viceroys in Sicily, and many pieces of Trapani work must have found their way to European courts as diplomatic gifts. However, the majority of the output seems to have been destined for the local market or for export to Southern Italy or Spain and the mostly religious works, such as crucifixes, monstrances and holy water-stoups, were absorbed by church treasuries, and secular pieces were acquired by the nobles and the court.