Wooden Skull 'memento Mori' - Germany/france - 18th Century

This finely carved wooden skull, dating from the 18th century, belongs to the tradition of memento mori, objects of meditation intended to remind us of the brevity of life and the inevitability of death. Small in size (8 x 6 x 5.5 cm), it was probably intended for private use, as an object of personal devotion or contemplation. The sculpture displays a beautiful, deeply nuanced, dark brown patina, revealing the piece's age and the natural wear of time. The modeling is expressive: the deeply hollowed eye sockets, the pronounced brow ridges, and the finely toothed jaw give the whole a striking presence. The cranial sutures are subtly indicated, attesting to the sculptor's meticulous work.