Memento mori, c. 1700-1800

Made:
1701-1800 in Europe
maker:
Unattributed

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