A pair of Chinese Cersuolo coral carving, Republic period

Carved from a single piece of "Cerasuolo" coral (Corallium elatius) of reddish-orange hue, depicting female figures.
The sculptures belong to the Chinese tradition of ornamental coral carvings produced for both the domestic market and export, a category that flourished between the late Qing dynasty and the Republican period.

During the first decades of the twentieth century, the workshops of Canton (Guangzhou), Beijing, and Shanghai developed a highly specialized production dedicated to the carving of precious corals imported from both the Mediterranean and the waters of Japan and Taiwan. These materials were particularly prized by Chinese patrons for their symbolic and auspicious significance. Red coral was traditionally associated with prosperity, longevity, social prestige, and protection.
The quality of the carving, the naturalistic modeling, and the deeply undercut workmanship are consistent with numerous Chinese coral sculptures of the Republican period, characterized by a refined synthesis of Western naturalism and the traditional technical virtuosity of Chinese carving.
Today, these refined works are rare and highly sought-after collectors' pieces, bearing witness to the elegance and complexity of the cultural and commercial exchanges that shaped the decorative arts of their time.

Coral dimensions (H × W × D): 14 × 3.9 × 2.6 cm
Overall height: 16.5 cm
Base diameter: 5.8 cm
Total weight: 133 g
Estimated coral weight: 100 g

Coral dimensions (H × W × D): 12.5 × 5.7 × 2.1 cm
Overall height: 15 cm
Total weight: 134 g
Estimated coral weight: 100 g

This lot is accompanied by expertise issued by the Ce.S.Ar. Centro Studi Archeometrici,  and is only available for sale with shipments within the European Community.