379

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

Coral carving depicting an allegorical female figure, 1980s

Height x width: 3.7 x 3.7 cm. Weight: 32.2 g

Entirely carved from a single branch of Cerasuolo coral (Corallium elatius) of exceptional chromatic quality.
The composition depicts a refined female bust in profile, distinguished by idealized features and a serene, contemplative expression. The figure is adorned with an elaborate crown composed of sculpted clusters of fruit and berries carved fully in the round, while a large, gracefully curved leaf rises behind the head, harmoniously integrating with the natural form of the coral branch.
The artist masterfully exploits the inherent qualities of the material, juxtaposing flawlessly polished surfaces with the coral's natural contours to achieve a refined balance between naturalism and classical idealization. The brilliant polish enhances the coral's rich chromatic qualities, lending the sculpture remarkable luminosity.

This work belongs to the most classical and elegant phase of Carlo Parlati's artistic production.
The female face, distinguished by its pure profile and softly modelled, flowing forms, evokes the aesthetic ideals of Renaissance and Neoclassical sculpture, reinterpreted through a distinctly contemporary sculptural language. The crown of fruit, composed of a refined sequence of meticulously carved elements, introduces a powerful symbolic dimension, evoking themes of abundance, fertility, and the natural world.
The large leaf at the rear, skilfully derived from the natural curvature of the coral branch, enhances the composition's dynamic quality without disturbing its formal harmony. The sculpture reveals the artist's complete technical mastery and stands as a testament to his artistic maturity, demonstrating his extraordinary ability to transform an organic material into a work of exceptional elegance, harmony, and sculptural refinement.

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.