Remember You Must Die

Rare Museum Quality 19th Century Italian Memento Mori Skelton in Coffin

Objects of this natural do not come to market that often, we luckily uncovered this example from a private collection in Paris earlier this month. The skeleton is carved from deer antler; the detail is quite exceptional in our humble opinion. The Skelton figure which is firmly attached to the coffin velour base is covered in hand carved lizards, snakes, insects, worms and other creepy crawlies. The top section of the coffin / casket has its original 19th Century mirror attached which reflects the skeleton and is supposed to remind the mortal to reflect on life before they die. The casket is made of fine natural walnut and still has its original key which is rare in itself.

"Memento mori" is a Latin phrase meaning "remember you must die," serving as a reminder of mortality and the transient nature of life, often used in art, spirituality, and philosophy to encourage reflection and a more meaningful existence.

The concept of reflecting on mortality has roots in ancient philosophical traditions, including Stoicism, where it was used to encourage individuals to live a more purposeful life, free from excessive attachment to worldly things.

Dimensions in inches: H 3” x W 7.5” x D 3.5”
Age: 1850
Origin: Italy
Condition: Fair

A well aged item that has stood the test of time, considering this items age it’s in very good condition to say the least (which makes its rare). Without loss and the casket still has its key as shown. The skeleton does have a deep patina to it and is dust covered (inside the stomach specifically). The lock to the casket is a bit flimsy but does work overall.

We strongly suggest reviewing all the photos provided as part of this advert and propose questions where sections are unclear to avoid disappointment upon purchase. A direct message usually takes 24 hours to answer. For multiple years we have sold antique items globally, please expect our items to show relevant age and natural wear, Items only restored due to breaks and major loss, and we always stipulate this in our condition report.