Gold, enamel and coral pendant. Trapani, Sicily, early 17th century.

A gold, enamel pendant set with a coral figure of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Trapani, Sicily, early 17th century.

Measures 7.5 x 4.4cm.

Weighs 13.7 grams.

The high carat gold pendant is delicately pierced with Renaissance scrolls decorated in colourful enamels and set with seed pearls and coral drops.

The central carved coral figure most likely depicts the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Cor Immaculatum Mariae), in which the Virgin is depicted with a flaming heart in one hand, the other hand holding lily flowers. The carved ‘lily flowers’ more closely resemble a palm frond, which was not the typical attribute of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, however it was the attribute of the Virgin of the immaculate conception (immaculata). It is not typical but it is possible that the unusual combination of attributes could be an artistic flourish of the sculptor or they could not quite master the carving of lily flowers.

Similar examples can be found in ‘Mirabilia coralii, Baroque masterpieces in coral by Jewish and Sicilian craftsmen in Trapani’, page 112 - 115, images. 12 and 13. The pendants are dated to before c.1647 as this was the earliest mention of them in the Carmelite monastic inventory of the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Annunziata, Trapani.