Skull

17th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 617
Although replicas of skulls were often kept as reminders of the imminence of death, the obsessive, anatomically correct detailing of this skull-both inside and out-suggests that it was a curiosity intended for cabinet of exotica.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Skull
  • Date: 17th century
  • Culture: German or Netherlandish
  • Medium: Ivory
  • Dimensions: Height: 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Miniature
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1988
  • Object Number: 1988.334
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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