Continental ceramic skull - 20th century

‘Memento Mori' depicting a skull.
A vanitas is a symbolic work of art showing the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death. The skull was the symbol of death from the 1500s onwards; previously death was represented as a skeleton. Skulls were very popular in the Baroque period and were not only an essential part of any Wonderland Room (Wunderkammer), but also acted as contemplative reminders of mortality.
Height x width x depth: 15 x 20 x 13 cm.
Item condition grading: **** good.