Christ blessing capezzale
Trapani, Sicily
17th century
Gilded copper, coral and enamel
Panel decorated with foliage and adorned in the centre with a blessing Christ surrounded by cherubs in a foliage and floret frame. The reverse is engraved with scrolls of acanthus leaves and the monogram JHS, an abbreviation of Christ's name in Greek.
H 36 cm L 31 cm
This capezzale, probably intended for private devotion, bears witness to the refined craftsmanship of Trapani in Sicily. The finesse of the carvings, the richness of the decoration and the attention to detail bear witness to a period of luxury and splendour. Coral, considered precious and rare, was offered as diplomatic gifts throughout the European courts and was destined to adorn princely cabinets of curiosities. But much of Sicily's production seems to have been destined for the local market or for export to southern Italy and Spain.
