Carved and polychrome wood vanitas, 17th-18th century

Superb vanitas of unusual dimensions, representing a skull and two snakes on a trunk. This life-sized memento mori is magnificently sculpted in a single palm tree wood piece, specially both snakes, whose bodies twist round with a great realism. Their heads also stand out for the accuracy of the polychromy and the relief, whose position so close of the skull's mouth enhances the disturbing effect of the ensemble.

Condition: very good, nice patina. Small damages on the skull surface, a smooth slit at the back of the skull, corresponding to a wood knot. Some xylophagus holes, non-active.