Hi to all,i bought passed days frome a auction a very curious but beautiful watch in a ivory skull.I make research on Ebay and i find something like that (memento mori,doctor skull ? ) but just in silver skull,not in ivory.On down side,have masonic sign? Can enyone tell me more about that?Thanks.

 

It definitely looks like a model skull but what does the watch look like?

This is a watch forum, not an anthropology forum.

 

A classic memento mori.

The symbolism of this piece is very clear - one's inevitable appointment with death. The symbol on the inner skull is a reminder that the sands of time stop for no-one, and the skull symbolises the mortality of the human race. In mediaeval times the skull was associated with religion, basically reminding all that that they'd better clean up their act and embrace piety or they'd be consigned to some imaginary place that, on reflection, would have had one hell of a fuel bill.

Could be an item that sat on a Doctor's desk, the desk of a man of the cloth for that matter, or at worst in the pocket of an irreverent undertaker! Even though it's in ivory, I would expect the Buddhist wheel to be more symbolic of the passage of time than a skull if it was Oriental.

Now let's have a look at the watch.

Cheers

Desmond

 

Thank you for information,today (after work) i will put pictures with movement.Is not signed,dial i think was changed but i am not sure about that.I don't know if is originall watch inside the skull,that i wanna yours opinion and i wanna make reserch about this curious ivory skull.I like all watches (but i am not a expert),especial Omega vintage with inhouse but i buy all vintage,beautiful or curious things.Thanks again.

 

Thank you.Maybe you have right,i read something like that on internet.Can be from around 1900 but can be from around 1850 year...i find something similar on internet in Belgium,from around 1750 year,but is litle,aprox 5 cm.My skull is very big,i think is ivory from a very big animal.I need to make research to find from wich years are that skull.

 

Looks like souvenir shop stuff to me. But many many times I have been known to be wrong.

 

Hi,first time thinking same,but i make some research.I find in silver,very expensive.In ivory i find just one,in Belgium,not so bigger like my skull,same,very very expensive.And,second things,this ivory skull have 400-500 g without pocket watch movement.How much cost 400-500 g ivory? Just thinking,i make research and i can't find yeat...

 

Pic,s of watch ?

 

A litle later,when i will be home.Is not signed,i don't know if is originall watch.But i will put new pics later.

 

Home now, pics with movement,i think is a cheap movement,dial i don't think is from movement

 

What´s the betting that the `ivory` is actually resin? Reminds me of these `scrimshaw` pieces I picked up once at a flea market.....thought I had struck whale tooth gold until I got home and did some Googling!

 

Ivory my friend,not resin. And a beautiful hand made sculpture.

 

But my question ..is a low cost movement?

 

I can't speak to the ivory or whatever it is (this sort of thing has zero interest for me - beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess) but the movement is a cylinder escapement movement. Looks like a 7 jewel watch (low grade) and based on the hack work done to the dial to allow the seconds hand to mount I suspect the dial is not original to the movement.

Cheers, Al

 

thank you,thinking same but i am not a expert,is a low grade movement.For me is beauty because is a very curious and rare.I colect many antique things and watches.Was boughtin a auction from a doctor family.