Doe and Hope

Description

In relic condition, the largely in-tact human skull dating to at least the early nineteenth century, displaying an incredible dark and beautifully aged patina and colour, the calvarium being uncut, and the mandible unarticulated, and displayed on a nineteenth century circular ebonised stand.

The skull remains in good overall order please view the photographs for a full visual reference. Most of the missing teeth were lost ante-mortem, with possibly some that were lost post-mortem. The orbits and nasal cavity are well-preserved, with a cavity to the forehead just above the ethmoid bone. There is an inventory mark in pen ‘2094’ to the underside of the jaw.

The colour to this example elevates it beyond many of the other examples seen, and we have never sold an example with such an evocative patina. Although some may find selling human bones unethical it is completely legal providing the specimen is antique and not displayed in a public environment without a license, rather only privately. In our opinion the stories that this wonderful object tells deserve to be told.

An exceptionally evocative and charismatic example, in beautiful relic condition.