Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head

North French or South Netherlandish

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 307

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.

Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head, Elephant ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount, North French or South Netherlandish

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Side 1: lovers.

Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head, Elephant ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount, North French or South Netherlandish
Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head, Elephant ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount, North French or South Netherlandish
Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head, Elephant ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount, North French or South Netherlandish
Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head, Elephant ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount, North French or South Netherlandish
Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head, Elephant ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount, North French or South Netherlandish
Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head, Elephant ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount, North French or South Netherlandish
Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head, Elephant ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount, North French or South Netherlandish
Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head, Elephant ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount, North French or South Netherlandish

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