THE PRECIOUS CORAL INDUSTRY 



145 



Selected Pieces. Pieces of exceptional size or beauty are selected from the ordi- 

 nary red coral and bring very high prices. 



The Working of Coral 



The working of coral into ornamental objects is done mainly by Italian crafts- 

 men. The industry is also carried on, though much less actively, in Spain and 

 France. It has been estimated that in Italy before World War II there were some 



Fig. 9-1. Torre del Greco caiuLd Idciory. (From "The Cameo, Shell and Coral 

 Industry in Naples Province," by G. G. Hilliker, American Vice-Consul, Naples, 

 Italy.) 



600 establishments for this work and the carving of conch and other shells, em- 

 ploying about 6,000 men and women. In this industry, as well as the coral 

 fishery, Torre del Greco occupies the most prominent place, for here alone there 

 are counted as many as 40 workshops with 2,000 women and 400 men employed. 

 The carving of shell cameos is actually the principal industry in many of these 

 small factories (p. 136). The industry is carried on to a lesser extent in Genoa, 

 Naples, Leghorn, and Trapani. 



The principal use of coral is for beads to be strung as necklaces, bracelets, arm- 

 bands, or rosaries. The beads are made either spherical or oval; toward the be- 

 ginning of the last century they were frequently faceted, but this has gone out 

 of fashion. The Italian carvers are also very deft in executing little coral cameos, 

 with floral or animal designs and sometimes with human figures. They are very 

 ingenious in utilizing the imperfections of the material to produce striking effects. 

 These objects are often set in the handles of brushes, etc. Polished ends of the 

 coral branches are made into watch charms. 



The Royal School for Coral Engraving at Torre del Greco near Naples was 



