A PAIR OF SICILIAN CAPEZZALI (DEVOTIONAL PLAQUES) OF 'THE ANNUNCIATION' AND 'THE NATIVITY', TRAPANI, SECOND HALF 17TH CENTURY

gilt-brass, enamel and coral, the elongated octagonal fields mounted using the 'retroincastro' technique with coral carvings and enamelled gilt-metal details, surrounded by white enamel and coral cabochon bands, the openwork scroll outer borders wired with coral rosettes embellished by white enamel beads, each reverse with a scroll strapwork engraved cover

13.5cm high including suspension ring, 14cm long

Provenance: St Mary's, Bourne Street, London

For another Trapani plaque, with very similar enamelled gilt-brass frame, see Christie's, Paris, 16 June 2015, lot 36. The Italian word 'capezzale' literally means the headboard of a bed, but also refers to the devotional shrines often suspended on the board. The rare and precious nature of the locally harvested coral, finely carved and mounted by workshops in the coastal town of Trapani during the 17th and early 18th centuries, meant these artefacts were highly prized by a small but wealthy clientele at the time. The engraved covers to the backs is characteristic, concealing the unsightly wax and pitch glue that holds the coral, a securing method termed 'retroincastro'.