24
Coral skull, Southern Italy, 18th century
Height x width x depth: 2.5 x 2.5 x 3 cm. Weight: 22 g.
"Memento Mori" Vanitas represented by a Red Mediterranean coral (Corallum Rubrum) skull carved in the round; in the upper side a ring.
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.
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.
Live auction 327
Curiosities from European and Oriental Art
Curiosities from European and Oriental Art
Silvers, Ivories, Corals, Icons and Wunderkammer
Palazzo Caetani Lovatelli, tue 25 February 2025
FIRST SESSION
25/02/2025 Hours 12:00 pm
Lots 1/167
SECOND SESSION
25/02/2025 Hours 04:00 pm
Lots 168/346
Discover Similar Lots
Vintage and Modern Jewerly / Watches / 20th-Century [..]
Lot 177
Mediterranean coral gold earrings
MASONIC MEDALS & JEWELS From the Early 19th [..]
Lot 126
Medaglia In Metallo Dorato E Smalti "JUSTICE TRUTH PHILANTROPY", G L E - Primo
Vintage and Modern Jewerly / Watches / 20th-Century [..]
Lot 102
Mediterranean coral gold necklace
MASONIC MEDALS & JEWELS From the Early 19th [..]
Lot 249
Medaglia R. L. "Giosuè Carducci" 103 Or. Di Bologna A. V. L. (70 mm)
Vintage and Modern Jewerly / Watches / 20th-Century [..]
Lot 97
Diamond mediteranean coral gold ring
MASONIC MEDALS & JEWELS From the Early 19th [..]
Lot 80
Medaglia Aubrey Lodge, Presented To Pr. W. B. Pape, Aug. 28th 1922, AG E Smalti (29,8 x 110,6 mm)
Vintage and Modern Jewerly / Watches / 20th-Century [..]
Lot 106
Mediterranean coral gold necklace
MASONIC MEDALS & JEWELS From the Early 19th [..]
Lot 78
Medaglia Independent Order Of Rechabites, Salford Unity, PDRC, AG E Smalti (38,9 x 50,8 mm)
MASONIC MEDALS & JEWELS From the Early 19th [..]
Lot 106
Spilla In Oro E Smalti IOF "Semper Fidelis", LBC (26,6 x 37 mm)
MASONIC MEDALS & JEWELS From the Early 19th [..]
Lot 352