Skull and crossbones 1750 - 1765

This porcelain sculpture, created by the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory between 1750 and 1765, is a memento mori, a reminder of mortality. The skull and crossbones rest atop a small wooden box, a common theme in 18th-century art that served as a warning about the fleeting nature of life. The intricate detail and delicate porcelain craftsmanship are hallmarks of the Nymphenburg Manufactory. This work is currently part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.