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Memento mori rosary

Reference #: 8955

Status: for sale

Dimensions: skull is 1.5 inches tall by 1.75 inches deep; entire piece is 48 inches long
(measured like a necklace would be)

Condition: excellent

Year:  1840-60, possibly earlier

Price: $450

Description:  Memento mori (meaning, remember thy death) items are rare and highly sought after.  There purpose was to remind the wearer that death was an unavoidable part of life, something to be prepared for at all times.   This Eastern European memento mori piece would have been worn around the neck or waist of a monk or Priest to remind fellow mortals that death was inevitable and must be prepared for!  The skull has a wonder patina on it and the carving is quite ghoulish!  The wooden beads have an incredibly smooth feel to them; no doubt created from decades of constant rubbing. 
A great, truly unique, memento mori piece!

To enlarge the photos below, please click on each one:

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