Skulls-memento mori watches- Update

It appears that the memento mori watch identified as belonging to Mary Queen of scots and the story attached to it that I posted about earlier are incorrect. 'The Seaton Watch' as it is known is actually the one in the illustration below

This etching shows a watch commissioned by Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th century. The case is opened by dropping the under jaw and the watchwords are in the cranium. It is believed Mary gave this watch as a gift to Mary Seaton, one of her maids of honor. The skull is of silver gilt and is engraved with lines of Horace, figures
of Death with his scythe and hourglass, Adam and Eve, and the Crucifixion.

one can see how the confusion might arise similar but different

You can find what appears to be the correct story of the Seaton watch HERE on the Coastconfan blog including a thorough 1850 write up

All goes to show how one must be careful with information from the World Wide Web!

The other watch is none the less a beautiful thing. I just prefer not to continue perpetuating an untruth.Both stories are told you can decide which one you believe or like best.I will just admire both for the craft and beauty of  these objects

Skulls-memento mori watches

Not in anyway bike related but a triumph of silversmithing and skull  related . An object of absolute stunning beauty




Mary Queen of Scots' Watch
c. 16th Century

This Memento-Mori watch presented to Mary Queen of Scots by her attendant Mary Seaton, is from the 16th century. The forehead of the skull is engraved with a figure of death between a palace and a cottage, and a quotation in Latin, "pale death visits with impartial foot the cottages of the poor and castles of the rich". (Horace)

The skull is held upside down and the jaw lifted to read the silver dial. The hour is struck on a bell. Made by Moyant A. Blois (1570-90). The skull is silver gilt and engraved with figures of death with his scythe and hourglass, Adam and Eve and the crucifixion. The lower part of the skull is pierced to emit the sound when it strikes. The works occupy the brain’s position in the skull fitting into a silver bell which fills the entire hollow of the skull. The hours are struck on this bell by a small hammer.

Text Source:http://thiswritelife.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/cabinet-of-curiosities-31/



A couple more examples of Skull Watches, the one on the left from the British Museum(the case dates from 1655-1665, the movement is from 1740-1760 & the dial is 19thC) and the other from the Science Museum (some background on it HERE)