ES FUI 14K + gemstone eys skull pendant ∙ Victorian Memento Mori custom pendant with gemstones

A modern-day "Memento Mori" skull pendant with the Latin epitaph "Es, Fui; Sum, Eris," crafted by my jewelry team in 14K yellow, rose, or white gold and studded with gemstone eyes.

The pendant is made from a casting of a ca. 1880s Victorian wax seal, originally in black glass (see 4th photograph). Because the pendant is a casting, it can still be used for its original purpose: to stamp or seal. This piece features the somber phrase: "What you are, I once was; what I am now, you will be." In shorthand Latin it appears as: "Es, Fui; Sum, Eris." The moving phrase reminds us of our mortality and is redoubled by the image of death itself, the skull. This phrase was a known epitaph during Roman times, appearing most notably on a tombstone at Fanum Fortunae:

"Viator, viator! Quod tu es, ego fui; quod nunc sum, et tu eris //
"Traveler, traveler! What you are, I once was; what I am now, you will be."

NOTE: This pendant does not come with a chain. Please reach out for chain options!

Measurements: pendant 13mm x 11mm (oval), approx. 2.6 grams.
Era: modern casting from a ca. 1880s glass intaglio seal
Materials: 14K gold, gemstones

$650.00
Payment Details

A 6% sales tax will be collected on orders shipped to our guests in Michigan.

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Domestic: In-stock items ship within three days of purchase (usually within two!) via USPS. Our default is USPS Priority Mail unless your purchase is over $1,000, in which case we require USPS Express Mail + signature confirmation. Insurance is included with all domestic purchases.

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