Skull Memento Mori In Antique Ivory – Central Europe , 18th/ Early 19th Century – Cites

 Skull mémento mori in antique ivory – carved vanity, 18th/ early 19th century – Cites certified

Rare sculpture depicting a human skull in the spirit of memento mori, a traditional symbol of meditation on the brevity of life.

The piece is finely sculpted in an old ivory with a beautiful honey patina, with particularly expressive work of orbits, dentition and cranial sutures, deliberately accentuated to reinforce the meditative character of vanity.
The small size, the quality of the model and the precision of the incisions testify to a cabinet work intended for private devotion or scholarly curiosity, in the European tradition of 18th century objects of contemplation.
The engraved lines imitating cranial sutures do not belong to a strict anatomical naturalism but to a symbolic language specific to representations of vanity.

Dimensions: about 4 2.5 3 cm.

State

Very good state of preservation, with micro-traces of use and patina consistent with age.
No visible restoration.

The coin is accompanied by its compliance documentation attesting that it is an old worked ivory, in accordance with the regulations in force regarding pre-convention specimens (CITES).
The document identifies the species (Loxodonta africana) and registers the object as an ancient sculpture, allowing its possession and commercialization in compliance with the legal framework.

Evocative collector’s item, typical of the vanitas aesthetic, combining religious symbolism and miniature virtuosity.

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