Hollow Tenon with a Death Head on the End c. 9th century

This 9th-century hollow tenon with a death head on the end is an example of ancient craftsmanship. Carved from a hard, durable material, it exhibits the skill of anonymous artists working in the era. While its exact function remains unclear, its presence in the Minneapolis Institute of Art suggests it held cultural and possibly symbolic significance. The tenon's weathered surface and the skull motif hint at the passage of time and the inevitability of death, themes present in many ancient cultures.