Mercury-gilded copper; the cross is inserted in an octagonal stepped base supported by eight winged sphinxes; this base is decorated with Mediterranean coral (Corallium Rubrum) dots, pods and cherub heads, a fundamental component of Sicilian Baroque art, and blue enamels. The cross is all surrounded by coral elements fixed to the support with pins and with coral roses surrounded by blue enamel petals; on the sides of the arms and on the top, there is a white and blue enamels lace decoration. The sculpture of Christ, perhaps from a later period, has a long and rich lace dress, almost priestly, which covers almost all the legs; this representation takes from the Christ of Scicli (a late baroque city in south-east Sicily), the "Crucifix with the Dress", a painting of Spanish origin dated 1669 preserved in the sacristy of the church of San Giovanni Evangelista. The presence of the skull at the bottom recalls the tradition according to which the cross was placed where Adam was buried, so symbolically the passion of Christ will free men from Adam's death and therefore from the original sin. The Trapani's coral worker from fifteenth to seventeenth century became famous throughout the Mediterranean for their splendid masterpieces as sacred and profane objects or nativity. Dimensions 19 x 16 cm, height 52 cm. Item condition grading: ***fair (defects and losses).

This lot contains ivory/coral/ tortoiseshell or other species protected by CITES regulation (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Due to recent changes in the laws of many countries (e.g. USA or China) - about endangered species including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell - BFA recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, USA regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory; please note that BFA will not assist buyers with the shipment of this lot into the USA. For further information contact the Management of Bertolami Fine Art before the sale. THE CITES ARTICLE 8 DEROGATION The CITES Article 8 derogation - Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 - the so-called ""antique derogation"" allow to sell this kind of item (defined as pre-1947). Current legislation states that if an item has been manufactured prior to June 1947 and has been significantly altered from its natural raw state for jewellery, adornment, art, utility or musical instrument before that date, a CITES certificate is not required (then is only true for material that has been ""worked"" before 1947, and has been transformed from its natural state by human craft).  The gemological certificate is available on payment after the auction