Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

Italian Marble Bust Vanitas / Memento Mori 19th Century Carved Sculpture Italy

$13,784.56
£10,254.32
€11,495
CA$18,875.78
A$20,987.30
CHF 10,958.41
MX$255,466.52
NOK 139,824.53
SEK 131,008.90
DKK 87,505.09
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Masterfully carved Italian Vanitas bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with a red Rosso Imperiale marble Roman toga (robe). The roman toga shows gorgeous detail like curves / folds in the fabric & a laurel wreath over its shoulder. The neck and lower jaw of the skull are fully carved open out of Carrara marble , amazing craftsmanship. We have seen many marble sculptures during our lifetime but this one is simply breathtaking. The attention to detail and quality of the sculpture is superb, but this sculpture also carries a beautiful & strong message. Memento mori is Latin for “Remember death.” The expression originates from a specific custom of ancient Rome; when a victorious general was back from war and was brought in triumphal procession through the streets, celebrated by the crowd, he could have been overwhelmed by pride and delusion of grandeur. To prevent this from happening, someone standing behind him, kept repeating: "Respice post te. Hominem te memento. " To remind him he is just a mortal man. The vanitas was also used in ancient Rome to remind you where you come from, you might have achieved great things but you should never forget your origin. During Middle Ages Memento Mori was a medieval theory and practice of reflection on mortality, especially as a means of considering the vanity of earthly life and the transient nature of all earthly goods and pursuits with a hopeful approach to a glorious afterlife. During the Italian and European Renaissance the approach to the theme of vanitas changes, artists want to communicate to enjoy life with its earthly pleasures as everything is fleeting. The Vanitas movement had its maximum expression in Holland during 17th-18th centuries. The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) gave rise to a period of starvation and the art related to the Vanitas theme conveyed this sense of insecurity, later during 18th century Dutch artists used this theme in response to prosperity and attachment to world-pleasures and material goods. The concept of Vanitas can also be found in contemporary art among those artists who use their art for ethical purposes to denounce the way in which the human being is exploiting the world we are living and the way humans are depleting the resources of nature. In any case this concept brings a message of joy and hope. One interpretation could be linked to the hope of a life after death and the second in the urgency to enjoy the beauties that life offers us during our passage on earth. This Vanitas sculpture refers to the old tradition of Ancient Rome and was hand carved in Italy during the renaissance revival late 19th century.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 23.63 in (60 cm)Width: 14.97 in (38 cm)Depth: 7.88 in (20 cm)
  • Style:
    Renaissance Revival (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Ijzendijke, NL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2997326687382

More From This Seller

View All
19th Century Italian Roman Vanitas Bust Renaissance Revival Memento Mori Marble
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Masterfully carved & most impressive Italian Vanitas bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with a Belgian Bla...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Busts

Materials

Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble

Rare 19th Century Italian Memento Mori Bust / Sculpture Carrara Marble Vanitas
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Masterfully carved Italian Vanitas / Memento Mori bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with masterfully...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Busts

Materials

Carrara Marble

Antique 19th Century Spanish Wall Cabinet with Knight Dark Patina Classical
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite 19th century Spanish colonial wall cabinet with a striking dark patina & carved knight. Very nice small antique that brings the right charm & vibe to any room. The interior has 4 compartments for storage. The cabinets door is richly decorated with a Spanish knight...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Shelves and Wall Cabi...

Materials

Wood

Italian Ornate Antique Brass & Onyx Square Marble Coat Hat Rack Hall Tree Stand
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Italian ornate antique brass & onyx square marble coat hat rack hall tree stand Hollywood Regency Eye catcher Classic 60s This high quality free ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Coat Racks and Stands

Materials

Marble, Brass

Large French Antique Christ Crucifix 19th Century Fleur De Lis Corpus Painted
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Beautiful & impressive patinated French large crucifix with wood carved heraldic lily (Fleur de lis). Christ made from plaster and painted by hand, loo...
Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Impressive Dutch Renaissance Revival 19th Century Cabinet Carved Angels & Lions
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Impressive & Breathtaking ! This Dutch 19th century Renaissance revival ''Beeldenkast'' (so called Statue cabinet) made out of solid oak. The name refers to the carved statues that...
Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Renaissance Revival Cabinets

Materials

Oak

You May Also Like

Solid Marble Vanitas Bust Sculpture
Located in Southall, GB
A striking solid marble Vanitas bust sculpture, dating to the late 20th century, acquired from an esteemed antique dealer in Italy. This evocative piece captures the essence of class...
Category

Late 20th Century European Busts

Materials

Marble

Skull Wrapped In Marble
Located in Rome, IT
Description: Skull wrapped in white marble. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, INFORMATION OF THE LOT AND SHIPPING INFORMATION CAN BE REQUEST BY SENDING AN EMAIL Indicative shipping costs in Italy: ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Memento or Vanitas carved on white Carrara and Emperador spain
By Laboratorio Todini
Located in Tarquinia, IT
memento marble, vanitas marble, vanitas bust, ancient Roman, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, emperador bust, classical sculpture, ancient sculpture, ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Baroque Busts

Materials

Carrara Marble

18th Century Large Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus
Located in Dublin 8, IE
18th Century Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus. His draped robe is hand-carved in red rosso levanto marble with the face modelled in contrasting white Carrara marble. The piece ...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

Vintage Ornamental Skull, English, White Marble, Decorative, Desk, Mantel
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage ornamental skull. An English, absolute white marble decorative desk or mantel ornament, dating to the late 20th century. Quirky appeal makes for an interesting conversation starter Displays a desirable aged patina Skillfully carved from a single form and weighing in at 11kg (24lb) Deep eye sockets affords a distinctive character Square jaw with defined mandible and decorative teeth Well suited for the study or as an unusual paperweight This is an appealing, offbeat vintage skull...
Category

20th Century English Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Roman Style Solid Marble Bust
Located in Countryside, IL
Roman style solid marble bust This bust measures: 15 wide x 10 deep x 23 inches high This piece is in Great Vintage Condition with minor marks,...
Category

20th Century American Classical Roman Busts

Materials

Marble