Il corallo trapanese nel collezionismo di ieri e di oggi: una raccolta di arte sacra tra Seicento e Settecento alla XXXI Biennale dell’Antiquariato

The collection of works in Trapanese coral exhibited at the XXXI International Biennial of Antiques in Florence demonstrates show such production was characterized by a consistently high cultural level and refined artistic knowledge. Whereas from the 16th Century onwards the main players in this trend were sovereigns, nobles and high prelates, between the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th Century, antique dealers and wealthy private individuals became the main players, as they were attracted, like their predecessors, by the exquisite beauty of Trapanese coral artifacts, which still commands high prices in the art market. The article proposes a scientific study of the works in Trapani coral with sacred subjects exhibited in Florence, which constituted the main nucleus of the collection.