{"product_id":"rare-museum-quality-memento-mori-ormolu-gilt-bronze-skull-skeleton-desk-clock","title":"RARE Museum Quality Memento Mori Ormolu Gilt Bronze Skull Skeleton Desk Clock","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAn Exquisite 18th-Century Memento Mori Masterpiece\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePresented for the discerning collector is an exceptionally rare, museum-quality antique Memento Mori desk clock, circa the 1780s. Masterfully cast in solid bronze and finished in brilliant 18K ormolu gilding, this piece is a profound meditation on mortality and time — and one of the finest surviving examples of its kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture features a meticulously detailed, crowned skeleton seated atop a large, hinged human skull, caught in a philosophical pose while gazing into a smaller skull held in its skeletal hands. The crown is a classic \u003cem\u003eDanse Macabre\u003c\/em\u003e motif, signifying that death is the great equalizer — coming for kings and commoners alike. When the top of the large foundational skull is tilted back, it reveals a breathtaking verge fusée clock movement: a secret reminder that time is fleeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Clock \u0026amp; Movement\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe clock is signed by the esteemed makers \u003cstrong\u003eBorel à Hambourg\u003c\/strong\u003e on the pristine white enamel dial, which features elegant Roman numerals for the hours, outer Arabic numeral markers for the quarters (15, 30, 45, 60), and finely pierced gilt hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gilt full-plate verge fusée movement is a work of art in itself. Signed \u003cstrong\u003e\"Borel \u0026amp; Rojard Fils,\"\u003c\/strong\u003e it boasts a spectacularly pierced and engraved continental balance bridge, intricately chased with scrollwork, alongside a silvered regulator disk and classic square pillars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exceptional. Extraordinarily well-preserved for an artifact of over 240 years of age.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrmolu \/ gilt:\u003c\/strong\u003e The 18K fire-gilding remains incredibly vibrant and rich, highlighting the masterful chasing and anatomical detail of the skeleton and skulls.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e The enamel dial is in excellent antique condition with no severe hairlines or chips.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e The verge fusée movement is visually stunning and intact.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHinge:\u003c\/strong\u003e The skull casing opens and closes smoothly and securely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Presented on a polished black hardstone\/marble plinth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMeasurements \u0026amp; Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTotal height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16 cm (approx. 6.3 inches)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Memento Mori \/ Vanitas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18K gilt bronze (ormolu), enamel, brass, hardstone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Antique verge fusée (key wind)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Borel à Hambourg \/ Borel \u0026amp; Rojard Fils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late 18th century (c. 1780s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Winding key + appraisal certificate ($15,000)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical Context: The Memento Mori\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranslated from Latin as \u003cem\u003e\"Remember that you must die,\"\u003c\/em\u003e the Memento Mori was a highly prized genre of art and horology from the 16th through the 18th centuries. These objects were not meant to be morbid, but rather philosophical tools for the aristocracy and scholars. By combining the ticking passage of time with the visceral imagery of skulls and skeletons, the owner was constantly reminded to live a virtuous and meaningful life — as earthly time is finite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo find one executed in such high-grade ormolu, complete with a concealed verge movement by a named maker, is exceedingly rare. This piece belongs in a museum or the collection of a serious horological antiquarian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAppraisal \u0026amp; Provenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece comes with an \u003cstrong\u003eappraisal certificate valuing the clock at $15,000.00\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is offered here at $12,550 — a significant opportunity for the serious collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eShipping\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis museum-grade piece will be meticulously professionally packed with museum-standard materials to ensure safe transit worldwide. Free worldwide shipping via DHL overnight courier.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"the misfit market","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53224541356256,"sku":"v1|306946873029|0","price":12550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/6454\/9856\/files\/s-l1600_8ec2d2ef-a471-4d18-9ed7-3b39eeba8d88.jpg?v=1782427878","url":"https:\/\/amisfitmarket.com\/products\/rare-museum-quality-memento-mori-ormolu-gilt-bronze-skull-skeleton-desk-clock","provider":"the misfit market","version":"1.0","type":"link"}