Death, the ultimate sovereign

A rather fabulous memento mori slide dated 1669. The high carat gold slide encloses a compartment with a tight weave of dark brown hair, surmounted by a three dimensional enamel skeleton, crowned and bearing an hourglass and a bone sceptre. The symbolism is obvious – death is king. I have had permutations of skeleton slides before, but never a crowned skeleton. To either side of the skeleton are gold wirework initials JG. It is engraved to reverse : J G obit anno 69. The slide measures 3/4 of an inch by 2/3 of an inch. It can be worn as a slide on ribbon or as a pendant on a chain, the gold pendant loop is later.

£3950