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Ivory model of a half head, half skull
One side of this carved ivory head shows a human face; the other side shows a skull. Not much is known about this model, but it is thought that it is a memento mori – literally a reminder of death and the shortness of life. The skull was the symbol of death from the 1500s onwards. Previously death was represented as a skeleton accompanied by a living victim.
Details
- Category:
- Anatomy & Pathology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A129116
- Materials:
- ivory
- Measurements:
-
overall: 59 mm x 44 mm x 55 mm,
- type:
- skull and memento mori
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust