19th Century French Memento Mori Vanitas Skull Bust of a Woman
Late 19th century French memento mori vanitas bust of a woman, with removable face revealing the skull beneath.
Intricately carved deer antler (not Ivory) miniature bust, set on an ebony wood base with brass top.
Rare and very unusual memento mori vanitas sculpture.
An impressive & striking visual display piece for a cabinet of curiosities.
Can be displayed with face attached of detached as shown.
A vanitas is a symbolic work of art showing the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death. The skull was the symbol of death from the 1500s onwards; previously death was represented as a skeleton. Skulls were very popular in the Baroque period and were not only an essential part of any Wonderland Room (Wunderkammer), but also acted as contemplative reminders of mortality.
Total Height: 14.3 cm / Sculpted Bust H: 7.4 cm x W: 5 cm / Base H: 6.9 cm x W: 6.5 cm.
Provenance: From a private collection in France.
We currently have 3 similar memento mori miniature carved busts that display very impressively as a set. See last photo.
Late 19th century French memento mori vanitas bust of a woman, with removable face revealing the skull beneath.
Intricately carved deer antler (not Ivory) miniature bust, set on an ebony wood base with brass top.
Rare and very unusual memento mori vanitas sculpture.
An impressive & striking visual display piece for a cabinet of curiosities.
Can be displayed with face attached of detached as shown.
A vanitas is a symbolic work of art showing the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death. The skull was the symbol of death from the 1500s onwards; previously death was represented as a skeleton. Skulls were very popular in the Baroque period and were not only an essential part of any Wonderland Room (Wunderkammer), but also acted as contemplative reminders of mortality.
Total Height: 14.3 cm / Sculpted Bust H: 7.4 cm x W: 5 cm / Base H: 6.9 cm x W: 6.5 cm.
Provenance: From a private collection in France.
We currently have 3 similar memento mori miniature carved busts that display very impressively as a set. See last photo.
Late 19th century French memento mori vanitas bust of a woman, with removable face revealing the skull beneath.
Intricately carved deer antler (not Ivory) miniature bust, set on an ebony wood base with brass top.
Rare and very unusual memento mori vanitas sculpture.
An impressive & striking visual display piece for a cabinet of curiosities.
Can be displayed with face attached of detached as shown.
A vanitas is a symbolic work of art showing the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death. The skull was the symbol of death from the 1500s onwards; previously death was represented as a skeleton. Skulls were very popular in the Baroque period and were not only an essential part of any Wonderland Room (Wunderkammer), but also acted as contemplative reminders of mortality.
Total Height: 14.3 cm / Sculpted Bust H: 7.4 cm x W: 5 cm / Base H: 6.9 cm x W: 6.5 cm.
Provenance: From a private collection in France.
We currently have 3 similar memento mori miniature carved busts that display very impressively as a set. See last photo.