17th-Century Style Carved Wooden Memento Mori Skull on a Turned Ebonised Base

A finely carved wooden memento mori skull, executed in the 17th‑century manner and mounted on a turned ebonised wooden base. The sculptor has captured the anatomical form with striking fidelity: hollowed eye sockets, defined zygomatic arches, and the subtle asymmetries that lend the piece its lifelike presence. The surface shows a warm russet tone, enhanced by age and handling, giving the skull a quietly contemplative character.

The ebonised base provides a refined contrast, elevating the skull both literally and symbolically — a reminder of the long tradition of displaying such objects in private studies, libraries, and cabinets of curiosity. Together, skull and base form a powerful sculptural ensemble that sits comfortably within early modern, Baroque, and contemporary interiors alike.

Background: The Meaning of Memento Mori

Memento mori — Latin for “remember you must die” — became a central artistic and philosophical motif from the medieval period through the 17th century. These objects were not morbid trinkets but tools for reflection, encouraging viewers to contemplate mortality, humility, and the fleeting nature of earthly pursuits. Scholars, theologians, and collectors kept such pieces on their desks as prompts toward wisdom, discipline, and spiritual clarity. Today, they remain potent symbols of introspection and the enduring human fascination with time, transience, and the search for meaning.

A compelling and atmospheric object, ideal for collectors of early sculpture, vanitas art, and the macabre traditions of European intellectual history.

Provenance: Italy. 20th Century in the 17th century manner.

Material: Carved hardwood. Teeth appear to be made from ceramic.

Condition: Good. Please see the image.

Dimensions: Height 17.5 cm including the base (6.9 inches)