25
Skull shaped coral, Southern Italy, 18th century
Altezza x larghezza x profondità: 3 x 2,5 x 3 cm. Peso: 21 gr.
"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.
€ 500,00 / 700,00
Estimate
340,00 €
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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
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25/02/2025 Hours 04:00 pm
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