Carved ivory
Presumably Southern Germany, around 1800
High rectangle relief with a central representation of a skull, surrounded by a snake and framed by a border of tendrils and flowers
Dimensions: 6 x 5 cm
Very good condition
Very finely carved Memento Mori ivory relief from a liturgical context

This ivory relief was most likely carved around 1800 in Southern Germany. Originating from a liturgical context, the relief seved as a Memento Mori. Since the Middle Ages, the awareness of the transience of earthly things animated religious people to lead a godly life. The present relief shows a central skull, surrounded by a snake. The depiction is bordered by a frame of tendrils and flowers.

The relief is in very good condition, showing some scattered dryness cracks consistent with age. The relief is 6 x 5 cm in size. (cko)

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