Italian 'Memento Mori' Almoner with skull - 18th Century

of cylindrical shape with lid, elephant ...

Italian 'Memento Mori' Almoner with skull - 18th Century

of cylindrical shape with lid, elephant ivory  (Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797 or Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758) carved on the front with the symbol of the skull and crossbones and with the inscription "Confraternitas Misericordiae Mortis Bonae" (Misericordia is the name of many confraternities and archconfraternities of Catholic origin dedicated to helping the poor and needy. Widespread throughout Europe and the world, in Italy the oldest documentary sources can be traced back to the foundation of the Misericordia in Florence in 1244). On the back is the Cristogram "IHS" surmounted by the Cross, positioned between the letters alpha (Α or α) and omega (Ω or ω), the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, often used in Christian art as a symbol in combination with the cross, in opposition to Arianism. These letters were used in Revelation (21:6-8) as a symbol of the eternal essence of Christ; In other words, God is "the beginning and the end". Everything originates in Him and everything ends in Him.Height 14 cm, height with handle 21.5 cm, base 13 x 12 cm. Weight 985 gr.  Item condition grading: **** good (defects). Accompanied by Ce.S.Ar. Centro Studi Archeometrici certificate of authenticity (pre-1947).