Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head

Unknown

ca. 1500–1525 · Ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount · Medieval Art

A string of beads is used as a memory aid in the recitation of the rosary, a multipart devotion to the Virgin. Here, the striking terminal bead announces the constant proximity of death by joining a skull to the pair of vivacious lovers. Such an image is known as a memento mori (reminder of death), as it encourages one to reflect on the transience of life.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1500–1525

Medium

Ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount

Culture

North French or South Netherlandish

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917