A skull and crossed bones appear on the hoop of this gold mourning ring. The ring is inscribed with the message 'In death shee's blest Since heavens her rest' Skull in white enamel on a black ground. 17th cent. (British Museum) #MementoMori #MourningJewellery #history #histodons #skull #17thcentury

Death and damnation from a series of wooden polychrome sculptures, 'The Four Fates of Man’ by Caspicara. Death is a familiar skeleton with worms. Hell depicts a chained figure writhing amidst flames and tearing at his flesh - amidst the hellfire the figure is accompanied by a worm and a toad. c.1775 (Currently on display as part of an exhibition of items from the Hispanic Society Museum at the Royal Academy until 10 April) #MementoMori #18thcentury #skeleton #london #history #art #ArtHistory

A skeleton reclines on a coffin in this gold mourning slide. The coffin is inscribed with the message ‘I Rest’ Above this relaxed scene are two gold putti holding a cartouche with initials in gold thread. The background is hair. Mourning slides like this were worn on a ribbon around the wrist or neck, which was fastened through loops on the reverse. c.1700 (V&A, London) #MementoMori #skeleton #mourning #18thcentury #mourningjewellery #history #histodons #weirdhistory

A wreathed skull stares out from this silver medal for Josias Krijger who died 9 September 1675. Krijger was a lieutenant under Rear Admiral Jan Van Brakel. Behind the skull a pair of scythes and also two putti (one extinguishes a torch and the other blows bubbles - a reminder of the fragility of life). A winged hourglass perches above the skull representing the passage of time (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam) #MementoMori #Netherlands #17thcentury #history #histodons #mourning

A gold mourning ring from France. The very detailed skull-shaped bezel hinges opens to reveal a tiny message which translates as ‘'I fear death only in your heart'. This ring from the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto is very similar to an example from British Museum. 17th cent #mementomori #skull #ring #17thcentury #history #histodons #weirdhistory

A gold mourning ring with a striking skull and crossbones bezel, enamelled in white - the enamel has worn around the raised features of the skull. The eyes are set with diamonds and there are diamonds on the shoulders too. late 17th cent. (One of many favourites from the V&A) #MementoMori #17thcentury #skull #history #histodons

A tiny enamelled skull and crossbones on a background of hair in this golden mourning slide. The skull has a heart-shaped nasal cavity. The slide is inscribed for Sir John Kyrle who died 4 January 1679. Slides like this could be worn on a ribbon around the wrist or neck - the ribbon fits through the loops on either side. (One of the stars of British Museum room 46) #MementoMori #17thcentury #skull #history #histodons #museum #death