Coral skull, Probably Italy, 19th century

Height x width x depth: 6 x 3 x 3.5 cm. Weight: 39.7 cm

Designed to be worn as a pendant. The sculpture is accurate and features a good level of detail. A hook is attached to the top of the skull, from which hangs a ring made of the same material, designed to allow it to be worn as a pendant or amulet. This pendant can also be interpreted as a memento mori, i.e. a symbolic object that invites awareness of human mortality. Memento mori were already widespread in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and were used to remind people of the transience of life, encouraging them to live wisely, virtuously or spiritually. The skull symbol was among the most common: it represented the transience of existence and the value of time. Even today, in artistic or personal contexts, a skull worn as jewellery can retain this meditative meaning, in addition to its aesthetic value.