German bone "Memento Mori" two-sided skull - 19th Century
; ; A 'Memento Mori' carved bone ...

German bone "Memento Mori" two-sided skull - 19th Century
; ; A 'Memento Mori' carved bone Vanitas two-sided skull, depicting the head of a living figure on one side and the skull on the another. A vanitas is a symbolic work of art showing the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death. The skull was the symbol of death from the 1500s onwards; previously death was represented as a skeleton. Skulls were very popular in the Baroque period and were not only an essential part of any Wonderland Room (Wunderkammer), but also acted as contemplative reminders of mortality. Dimensions 3.5 x 3 x 2.5 cm. Weight 33 gr. Item condition grading: **** good.