Post-Medieval — Early 16th century
Double-sided memento mori or paternoster bead
This bead is made of bone and carved with a woman's face on one side and a skull on the other. Known as a 'memento mori' ('remember you must die'), it was meant to encourage thoughts about life, death and the soul. Rosaries were used in repetitive prayers of penance and devotion. This large 'Paternoster' bead, probably once part of a rosary, was used to indicate when the Lord's Prayer was to be said. Rosaries were made illegal in 1549, after the Reformation, although many Londoners continued to use them in private.
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- A1649
- Object name:
- Double-sided memento mori or paternoster bead
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- —
- Related events:
- —
- Related places:
- Production date:
- early 16th century
- Material:
- bone
- Measurements/duration:
- H 27 mm, W 21.5 mm, D 24 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Credit:
- —
- Copyright holder:
- digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.