Memento Mori – Franciscan Monk With A Skull – Carved Wood And Ivory – Religious Art

Memento Mori – Franciscan Monk with a Skull – Carved Wood and Ivory – Religious Art

A striking and unique sculpture depicting a Franciscan monk in the guise of Death, combining carved wood and ivory elements.

Description

The figure stands upright, dressed in the traditional Franciscan habit with wide sleeves and a hood, cinched at the waist by a knotted cord. His habit, carved from wood with a dark brown patina, features remarkable detailing of the folds and drapery.
The head, made entirely of ivory, takes the form of a finely carved human skull, with the eye sockets, jaws, and teeth meticulously detailed.
Both hands, extended forward, as well as the feet clad in sandals, are also carved from ivory, offering a striking contrast to the dark hue of the monastic robe.

A particularly interesting detail is the small ivory skull suspended from the cord, reinforcing the funerary symbolism of the piece.

The sculpture rests on a molded wooden pedestal, circular in shape and set on a quadrangular base.

Symbolism

This depiction is part of the tradition of Memento Mori, images intended for meditation on the human condition, the vanity of earthly possessions, and the inevitability of death.
The combination of the Franciscan habit and the skull evokes practices of meditation on death, penance, humility, and detachment from material possessions, which are particularly prominent in Christian spirituality.
With its unusual iconography, the quality of its carving, and the combination of wood and ivory, this work is a particularly interesting object of religious curiosity.

Materials: carved wood with a brown patina; head, hands, feet, and small skull made of ivory.

Condition:

In good presentation condition, with patina, signs of use, and minor signs of aging visible in the photographs.

Total height: 35 cm × Maximum width: 11 cm
Base dimensions: 9 × 9 cm

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