Northern French or Southern Netherlandish, circa 1500-1525

inscribed: ANSI SERONS NOVS WI OV DEMAIN, later mounted on a bamboo stick with gilt copper ferrule 

Overall, the condition of the ivory is good, with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. However, there are various losses, notably to the creatures on top of the skull, to the ears and the nose of the cadaver, to a part on the proper left side of the skull, and to the edges of the headband of the cadaver. It is possible that the teeth of the skull have been deliberately cut into a circle. There is minor stable splitting to the ivory consistent with the material, in particular to the proper left temple and jaw of the cadaver. There is some yellowing to the ivory, in particular to the proper left side of the cadaver. There is a small original plug to the top of the head concealing the root canal. The bamboo cane is in good condition, with some dirt and wear consistent with age. The metal mount at the top is warped a little at the top edges and there are some stable fissures. The joint between the ivory and the cane is slightly open but stable.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Throughout history skulls have been a visual reminder of human mortality. This remarkable ivory memento mori is likely to have functioned as a rosary bead. It depicts a human skull being stripped of its remaining flesh by worms and reptiles. As the carving is rotated a cadaverous face is revealed, harking back to ancient representations Janus, the double faced god of beginnings and endings. Compare the present bead with three inscribed Memento Mori beads in the Thomson collection Toronto (Lowden, op. cit., nos. 46-47), and another the Detroit Institute of Art (acquired Blumka II Gallery, New York, 1990; inv. no. 1990.315), both of which may be from the same workshop as the present ivory.

RELATED LITERATURE 
R. H. Randall,  Masterpieces of Ivory from the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, 1985, nos 367 and 116; J. Lowden, Medieval Ivories and Works of Art: The Thomson Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, 2008, pp. 132-133, nos 45-47