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Among the countless representations of Death that have survived, few possess the evocative power of this refined sculpture.
The artist does not choose to depict a triumphant skeleton or a terrifying figure.
Instead, he depicts her as a silent traveler.
Blindfolded.
She advances slowly, supporting herself with her scythe as if it were a walking stick, while at her feet appears a human skull, a powerful reminder of the transience of existence.
It is a profoundly symbolic image.
The blindfold may allude to the impartiality of Death, who does not care about social status, wealth, age, or power, but follows his own path without exception.
The entire sculpture is carved from a single block of boxwood, one of the most prized woods in European sculpture due to its extraordinary compactness and ability to retain the finest details.
The exceptional quality of the carving is evident in every detail: the bone-like hands, the masterfully sculpted skull, the flowing drapery, the deep anatomical cavities of the arms, and the refined surface treatment, now enhanced by a warm patina matured over time.
The work is also striking for its composition.
The balance between formal elegance and intense symbolic force makes it a striking presence even in its modest size.
The figure is not static.
It is captured in the act of advancing, lending the sculpture a surprising sense of movement and a rare stage presence for a work of this size.
Due to the quality of its execution, the rarity of its subject, its iconographic choice, and its symbolic richness, this sculpture is destined for collectors of Memento Mori, Wunderkammer, and devotional art, and is difficult to equate with the more common representations of Death common between the 18th and 19th centuries.
Characteristics
Period: Attributable to the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Material: Boxwood, carved from a single block.

Height: 19.5 cm. (7.7")

Width: 10 cm. (3.9")

Depth: 5.5 cm. (2.2")

Condition: Good condition, with natural patina and minor signs of wear consistent with the work's age.