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, Ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount, North French or South Netherlandish

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Side 1: lovers.

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

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.