Coral sculpture depicting the Rape of Proserpine, Southern Italy, 19th century

Coral weight: 289 gr. Weight with base: 475 gr.

red Mediterranean coral (Corallum Rubrum), sculpted to represent the scene of the Rape of Proserpine, a famous myth from Roman and Greek mythology: Proserpine, daughter of Ceres (Demeter), goddess of the earth and agriculture, while in the fields picking flowers with her friends, is suddenly abducted by the god of the Underworld, Pluto.
The myth of the Rape of Proserpine has a strong symbolic value, as it represents the natural cycles of life, death and rebirth, as well as the alternation of the seasons. The story has been taken up by numerous artists and writers, including Bernini (1621-22), who immortalised the climax moment in which Pluto grabs Proserpine as she tries to resist. This scene is also depicted in our coral sculpture.

Height x width x depth coral: 13.5 x 14.5 x 14 cm.
Height x width x depth base: 7 x 8 x 8 cm.