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CARLO PARLATI
(Torre del Greco, 1934 - Torre del Greco, 2003)

Coral carving depicting a female figure, 1980s

Height x width: 4.5 x 2.6 cm. Weight 15.4 g

Entirely carved from a single branch of Cerasuolo coral (Corallium elatius) of exceptional chromatic quality.
The composition depicts an elegant female bust with idealized features, her head gently inclined and her gaze cast downward in an attitude of serene introspection. Her long, flowing hair unfolds in soft, undulating waves that naturally follow the contours of the coral branch, while her right hand, delicately resting upon her chest, lends the composition a refined sense of balance and remarkable expressive intensity.
The flawlessly polished surface enhances the coral's natural lustre while showcasing the exceptional quality of the carving, distinguished by its fluid and harmonious modelling, which endows the figure with a timeless elegance.

This sculpture embodies one of the most poetic aspects of the artist's oeuvre. The face, characterized by harmonious proportions and a quiet, contemplative expression, evokes an ideal of classical beauty reinterpreted through a distinctly contemporary sculptural language.
The modelling of the surfaces is exceptionally refined: the delicate chiaroscuro achieved through the subtle treatment of the facial features contrasts with the dynamic flow of the locks of hair, which exploit the natural curvature of the coral branch to enhance the overall sense of movement.
Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of the hand, an iconographic element seldom treated as a mere anatomical detail. In this composition, it becomes an integral component of the sculpture's formal balance, reinforcing its intimate and contemplative character.
The work stands as a testament to Parlati's artistic maturity and to his extraordinary ability to transform an organic material into a sculpture of exceptional formal elegance.

The sculpture bearing the characteristic Parlati signature.

This lot is available for sale only with shipments within the European Union.

Literature:
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.