Glass and silver slide, oval, with initials E.H. overlaid on cloth or plaited hair, with skeleton and hourglass, c. 1700-1800
‘Memento mori’ prompted people about the shortness of life and the inevitability of death. The phrase translates from Latin as ‘Remember you must die’. This oval slide, made of glass and silver, is just one of many forms of memento mori. It has the initials E.H. delicately overlaid on either cloth or possibly plaited hair. The slide also features a skeleton surrounded by two angels and an hourglass. Symbols such as these are typically seen on memento mori.
Hair taken from the individual being mourned was a common feature of this type of jewellery. It was often woven in delicate and intricate patterns by craftsmen who specialised in this field.
Details
- Category:
- Wellcome (general)
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A642144
- Materials:
- silver, glass, hair, ? material and cloth, ? material
- Measurements:
-
overall: 6 mm x 24 mm x 21 mm,
- type:
- memento mori, human hair and human remains
- credit:
- Sotheby's
