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Prayer Bead in the Form of a Skull with the Temptation, and the Crucifixion

first half of the 16th century

Not on view

The interior of this fruitwood carving resembles those of miniature boxwood prayer beads, but the exterior has been transformed into a skull, presenting death with all the intensity of boxwood miniature coffins. Related examples trace to sixteenth-century German owners. Perhaps these fruitwood beads were carved in German lands by an artist eager to have a share of the flourishing boxwood market established in the Netherlands.

Prayer Bead in the Form of a Skull with the Temptation, and the Crucifixion, Fruitwood, German (?) — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Prayer Bead in the Form of a Skull with the Temptation, and the Crucifixion, Fruitwood, German (?)

Prayer Bead in the Form of a Skull with the Temptation, and the Crucifixion, Fruitwood, German (?)

Prayer Bead in the Form of a Skull with the Temptation, and the Crucifixion, Fruitwood, German (?)

Prayer Bead in the Form of a Skull with the Temptation, and the Crucifixion, Fruitwood, German (?)

Prayer Bead in the Form of a Skull with the Temptation, and the Crucifixion, Fruitwood, German (?)

Prayer Bead in the Form of a Skull with the Temptation, and the Crucifixion, Fruitwood, German (?)

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

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Prayer Bead in the Form of a Skull with the Temptation, and the Crucifixion

Date: first half of the 16th century

Culture: German (?)

Medium: Fruitwood

Dimensions: Open: 3 5/8 × 1 5/16 × 3/4 in. (9.2 × 3.4 × 1.9 cm)
Closed: 2 3/16 × 1 7/16 × 1 7/8 in. (5.5 × 3.6 × 4.8 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Miniature-Wood

Credit Line: The Thomson Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto (AGOID.29282)

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Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Met

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.