Pocket watch concealed in a memento mori
- Made:
- 1700-1936 in unknown place
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Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseSilver model of a human skull which opens up to show a pocket
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.
Silver model of a human skull which opens up to show a pocket
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.
Silver model of a human skull which opens up to show a pocket
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.
Silver model of a human skull which opens up to show a pocket
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.
Silver model of a human skull which opens up to show a pocket
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.
Silver model of a human skull which opens up to show a pocket
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.
Silver model of a human skull which opens up to show a pocket
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.
Silver model of a human skull which opens up to show a pocket
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Silver model of a human skull which opens up to show a pocket watch inside inscribed with skull and cross bones
The engraved Latin phrase ”Tempus fugit” on this small model means ‘time flies’. The object was probably a memento mori, meaning a reminder of death. The tiny silver model of a human skull opens to reveal a pocket watch. This is intricately engraved with multiple skull and crossbones motifs. Such designs were associated with memento mori in the 1800s. The watch is a symbol of escaping time. According to the acqusition records for this object, the watch belonged to Queen Mary (1867-1953), wife of George V. The Queen presented the watch to Henry Wellcome in the 1930s.
Details
- Category:
- Anatomy & Pathology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A103905
- Materials:
- silver
- Measurements:
-
overall (closed): 40 mm x 34 mm x 44 mm, .08 kg
overall (open): 40 mm x 34 mm x 78 mm,
- type:
- pocket watch
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
