Sometimes the most beautiful jewels carried the deepest messages.
The Sternsee Medallion captures the Renaissance fascination with symbolism in miniature. A bearded figure stands upon a globe, supported by a female figure and a skeleton, while the perimeter inscription reads ‘CAROLVS V. STERNSEE. IN TE DOMINE SPERAVI’ meaning ‘In thee, Lord, I have trusted.’
16th-century allegorical gold hat-medallion associated with Carolus (Christoph) von Sternsee, captain of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's German guard, featuring intricate enamel and precious gems: a Renaissance masterpiece.
The skeleton introduces a classic memento mori theme, reminding the viewer that worldly power and possessions are fleeting. It is a striking contrast: a jewel made from gold and precious stones, created to celebrate craftsmanship, while quietly reminding its owner that nothing lasts forever.
Funerary stela of a seated woman holding a tiny ibex in her hand, from the National Museum of Yemen. Above floats the lunar crescent and disk representing the planet Venus, a pagan Arabian symbol (one shared by Ethiopia) before its eventual adoption by Muslims. The Musnad script shows up in Yemen by the 8th century bce, with variants known as Sabaean, Qatabanian, and Minaean.
Abaddon and the Locusts of the Abyss
From the Saint-Sever Beatus, c. 1050–1070.
This 11th-century illumination illustrates Revelation 9. It depicts a demonic locust with a human face and wings, stinging a sinner with its scorpion-like tail. According to the biblical text, these creatures were commanded not to kill, but to torment humanity for five months.
Repository: Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris (MS lat. 8878, f. 145v).
Mirror of human life. A vanitas scene that presents Death triumphantly at the center over all humanity. The frame decoration includes a reference to the Last Judgment and five biblical quotes about the fleeting nature of life. At the lower central part, the inscription reads: "Death equals all things; therefore, be alert". Marcello Clodio. Italy. 1598
Death represented as a skeleton holding an arrow, pointing towards a falconer on horseback. In the background rises the Tree of Knowledge, with the snake carrying a apple in its mouth. The text says: "Death, which knows no forgiveness, distinguishes neither lineage nor beauty, strength nor age, but annihilates all". Andries Jacobsz. 1626