Significant Skulls

Skulls and skeletons are an unmistakable symbol of death, what better way to portray death than to show the aftermath of it? We’re all familiar with the spooky skeleton that we call the Grim Reaper, a skeleton with a scythe collecting souls from the sick and dying, this image has been haunting people’s dreams and visions since the 15th century. 

When asking professional antique dealers about skulls in jewellery and their significance, I was told that the purpose of skulls or skeletons in jewellery was usually as a reminder of death, also known as memento mori. 

The creation of memento mori has traditionally been intended to serve the greater goal of memento vitae, or a “reminder of life”. By representing the spectre of death, these objects affirm life: they ask us to remember those who lived before us, while simultaneously reminding us that our own lives are, and forever will be, linked to theirs in a cycle that’s beyond the comprehension of mortal man.

Memento mori can be found all around the world in the form of objects, places, stories, and anything that reminds us of death, or life and its gift. Paul Koudounaris wrote a book called Memento Mori, which has been a tremendous resource in learning and showing me some of the beauties around the world which can be attributed to memento mori.

Charnel houses, places where bones are kept - sometimes arranged magnificently in Europe - were created out of the need to make space in local consecrated graveyards. When church graveyards would fill up, the old bones would be removed (disinterred) to create space for new burials, thus the bones would be put into a storage place called a charnel house. Initially, these remains would be dumped, but then people began to realise a purpose for all these old bones, they started arranging them in a way that would result in an immersive and beautiful memento mori. Remains would be stacked into walls of often impressive height and the rooms were provided with windows or grates so passersby could see the contents. These spaces reminded the living of the need to redeem themselves.

The overcrowding of church graveyards mentioned above became so severe – due to a rapidly increasing population in city centres – that any burial was virtually impossible without digging up parts of other bodies before they had decayed, causing great offence to local inhabitants. This led to more people accepting the idea of large cemeteries,which were outside the city centres. Most of these joint-stock cemeteries are still standing today, albeit looking very shoddy and certainly don't remind us of their beauty of 190 or so years ago.

Returning to the subject of skulls and bones; decorating bones has been a common feature in many cultures, creating a means to venerate and respect the dead by creating icons from their remains. Small villages in Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland would decorate skulls by painting them, this started in the early 1700s and lasted in some areas into the 1900s. Having one’s skull painted was a sign of status and considered an honour bestowed upon the dead by loving relatives. Because the name was included in the adornment, it helped preserve the bonds by preventing the deceased from falling into anonymity within the bone pile. Parents would bring children to the skulls and tell stories of the people that lie before them from the times that they were alive and well. I can imagine that this created a strong connection with deceased family members, allowing them to play a role in the lives of the living long after passing, and also helping the children understand the importance of appreciating their life among other credos.

The aforementioned small villages in Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland adorned skulls of loved ones and passed family members, however, the skulls weren't always sourced from kin but sometimes came from burial grounds. For example, in Tibet, Nepal and Northern India, ornate skulls called Kapala, were traditionally produced in monasteries. They were used as ritual vessels in both Hindu and Buddhist Tantra. Usually, the tops of the skulls are hinged or removable and the skull cavity is lined with a silver bowl, into which wine or dough is placed. The skulls would aid the user in attaining a transcendental state by transferring the knowledge and personality of the deceased. They also create a reminder of the importance of life and the importance of avoiding sensual indulgence.

The crania for these Kapala were traditionally collected at sky burial sites – where bodies were dismembered and scattered over open ground – the skulls were beautifully and elaborately carved or decorated with precious metals and jewels, then anointed and consecrated. As far as I can tell, this tradition carries on to this day.

Similarly, Bolivia has the clearest modern example of a connection with the dead. As part of a continuing tradition, many people own skulls known as Natitas – a nickname translating roughly to “little pug-nosed ones” –, which are enshrined within the home and considered esteemed friends or family members. They provide services such as being guardians of the domicile, trusted advisors, spiritual guides, or simply, good luck charms. These practices can be traced to long-standing indigenous beliefs concerning the interaction between the living and the dead. The Aymara Indians of the Bolivian highlands never saw death as fatalistic, those who passed had simply transcended to another phase of life and could still function in the family group.

The skulls of Natitas typically don’t belong to close friends or relatives, there is no need for familiarity with the deceased since the identity of the soul that communicates through the skull is not always that of the formerly living person. The Aymara believe that spiritual nature is complex and the soul is not a discrete entity, the spirit centralised around it will reveal an identity to its owner, often in dreams.

The annual celebration of Fiesta de las Natitas is in no way a celebration of death, but a celebration of an intimate and unique bond.

In conclusion, skulls and skeletons, symbols of death, have been used throughout history to remind us of life's transient nature. From the haunting image of the Grim Reaper to the intricate memento mori jewellery, these symbols serve as powerful reminders to cherish life. The memento mori tradition spans cultures and continents, manifesting in beautifully arranged charnel houses in Europe, painted skulls in Bavaria, Austria, and Switzerland, and the ritualistic Kapala in Tibet, Nepal, and Northern India. Even today, practices like Bolivia's Natitas highlight the enduring connection between the living and the dead. These cultural artefacts and traditions underscore a universal theme: by remembering and acknowledging death we are reminded to value life and maintain a deep bond with those who have passed.