The art of coral in Italy
Since the Renaissance, coral has been prized for its beauty and used to embellish palaces, inspiring the creation of art objects. This fascination with coral continues to this day, particularly in the Naples region of Italy , which has become famous for its collection of coral from the reefs that line its coasts.
Trapani in Sicily was once the beating heart of coral production. But today, a new capital of coral art has emerged in Torre del Greco , a town near Naples, home to the most talented coral artisans.
In 1805, Paolo Bartolomeo Martin , nicknamed "the Marseillais," founded the world's first coral factory in Torre del Greco. This initiative propelled the town to the forefront of the coral industry, with a particular emphasis on red coral.
Red coral (Corallium Rubrum) is a coveted treasure worldwide. Considered one of the purest and most precious corals, it is worth as much as gold. Its slow and laborious growth takes up to 40 years to reach 2 cm, thus reinforcing its rarity and prestige.
Mythology also evokes coral, born from the blood of Medusa . According to legend, when Perseus beheaded Medusa, the drops of red blood spurting from the wound turned into coral as they fell on the algae in the sea. Thus, coral was born.
