Andrea Tipa Immaculate Conception
Andrea Tipa Immaculate Conception
Trapani Red Coral Harvest
This exquisite ivory sculpture, carved in full relief in a form identified with Bottega dei Tipa and depicting the Virgin Mary according to traditional Christian iconography of the Immaculate Conception, was made in the workshop of Andrea and Alberto Tipa. They were the best known members of a sculptor’s family active in Trapani, Sicily, in the 17th and 18th century, and who specialized in a very fine working technique for ivory, alabaster, and stone. Works from the House of Tipa during the 17th & 18th century were sometimes elaborately decorated in a variety of themes, with the use of red coral, lapis lazuli or vivid fired enamels, mother of pearl, gold, silver, and ivory or alabaster figures in stylistic, exquisitely choreographed themes.
Enameled Copper over Wood Columns with Gold Fittings.
The oldest reference source on Andrea Tipa, Giuseppe Maria Di Ferro (1774-1836), opined that the sculptor produced “a good number of ivory crucifixes ... he gave these small simulacra the advantage of lifelike fineness, and he affirms also that the sculptor, even in the smallest works, surpassed his companions. He made various beautiful nativity scenes with ivory and alabaster figurines".
Andrea was a worthy heir, appreciated by a large clientele of foreign travelers as recalled by those who praised the works sent to France, Spain and England. He was known for the "softness and refinement" of his ivory Immaculate Conception and other crèche characters as well as his ability to work the Incarnate Stone, a particular variety of translucent alabaster with reddish veins, widespread in the Trapani area, which was well suited to the depiction of the martyred body of Christ.
Magnificent Ivory Sculpture
Andrea Tipa (1725-1766), Giuseppe’s son and Alberto’s brother (1732-1783), both also sculptors, was also known for his work on monumental sculptures. He created, among others, the Carlo III statue, in 1750, which was displayed in the Trapani Marina, and is now lost. He was well known to produce sculptures identical to the ivory carving illustrated here.
The central figure is mounted standing above a manicured garden consisting of wire coiled canvas hedges with applied wax-anchored red flowers, surmounted on a pyramidal ebony platform. Rows of carefully inlaid diamond-shaped terrazzo tiles lie between garden sections, created with a foundation of red coral dust and imbedded with ivory and gold fragments, clearly sourced from the original coral, ivory, and gold carving efforts. Several Andrea Tipa items are curated at the Pepoli Regional Museum of Trapani.
Ivory, Coral, and Gold Terrazo “Tiles” in the Central Path
The central figure is centered by an ebony or pernambuco arch topped with an ivory Cherub representing the Massacre of the Innocents and flanked on each side by ivory cornice carvings. She is surrounded by four columns that consist of brilliant blue enamel fired onto copper with 22k gold adornment mounts fitted onto ebony supports and each topped by a single large red coral bead. The ebony railing surrounding the garden is adorned with 30 vertical 22k column posts and topped with ivory and red coral beads affixed with tiny 9k nails. The base is fitted with a single front drawer composed of mixed woods with period bronze lock. Five sides of the hexagonal base are fitted with regal bird decor in bronze over 9k gold plates.
Height 32cm (12.6in)
Width 27cm (10.6in)
Depth 14cm (5.5in)
Central Figure Height 14cm (5.5in)
The Coral Masters
Trapani was a leading center for the production of works of art in coral in the 17th and 18th centuries. Due to its geographical position and its exploitation of its natural resources and the use of its extensive coral banks, which continued well into the 18th century, Trapani became one of the principal commercial ports in the Mediterranean. This growth resulted in the expansion of a prosperous merchant class, who, together with the wealthy clergy, contributed to the development and growth of a high level of coral and goldsmith's work. In 1628, the guild of the coral workers, the Arte dei Corallari, was established in Trapani and after the suppression of the insurrection there in 1672, the skilled coral workers were dispersed to other Mediterranean centers.
The workshops of the Coral Masters, between 400 and 600, were widespread throughout the city and the coral, symbol of Trapani that was initially worked only by a few artisans whose production also included religious objects of worship: statues of saints, crucifixes, caskets, reliquaries, jewelry, saltshakers, rosary crowns and even cribs made up the typical production of Trapani.
Detail Photos
Armorial Theme
Detail of Terrazzo Tiles Above
Top Arch Carving
Bronze over Gold with Original Gold Bun Feet
Top Arch Carving
Detail of Terrazzo Tiles Above
Top Arch Carving
Ivory Sculpture Represents the Massacre of the Innocents Mounted on the Pernambuco Arch and Flanked by Ivory Column Caps Topped with Trapani Red Coral Beads Fastened with 9k Gold Wire Nails.
Detail of Terrazzo Tiles Above
Detail of Terrazzo Tiles Above
Detail of Terrazzo Tiles Above
The 22k Side Plates with Bronze Overlays are Secured by 9k Gold Nails.
Armorial Crown with Eagles
Armorial Crown with Eagles
Detail of Terrazzo Tiles Above
Fine 16th/17th Century Bronze Castings
A Section of the Garden
Armorial Crown with Eagles
A Section of the Garden
Sculptured garden with terrazzo pathways at the feet of the Virgen
Drawer Lock Plate
Armorial Crown with Eagles
A Section of the Garden
The original 17th/18th century bronze lock plate.
Magnified Views
Terrazzo Tile
The terrazzo tiles each consist of coral shavings & dust, ivory shavings, and gold fragments from the shaping the gold fittings.
22k Gold Plates
Each gold plate was cast, then polished on the outside and filed to custom fit the exterior. This image depicts the underside of one of the solid cast gold panels.
Lock Plate
The lock mechanism is not present. the Lock cover plate is hand fitted, exhibiting file markings.
Detail of Front Arch Gate
The column detail includes blue enamel on copper, gold, and vintage coral beads pinned with 9k gold nails. The arch is mounted with a period cast bronze plate.
Trapani Ivory & Coral Crèche
Welcome! Enjoy the exquisite art of Andrea Tipa, circa 18th Century Trapani, Sicily