The History of Memento Mori Jewellery: Why We Have Worn Symbols of Mortality for Centuries
For many people, skulls, bones, and symbols of mortality can seem unusual subjects for jewellery. Yet throughout history, people have worn these motifs not to celebrate death, but to celebrate life.
The tradition of Memento Mori jewellery dates back centuries and remains one of the most fascinating forms of wearable art. Today, contemporary makers continue this tradition, creating meaningful pieces that encourage reflection, remembrance, and appreciation of life's fleeting beauty.
What Does Memento Mori Mean?
The phrase Memento Mori is Latin for "Remember you must die."
While this may sound dark at first, the message behind it is surprisingly uplifting. Rather than focusing on death itself, Memento Mori serves as a reminder to live fully, cherish relationships, pursue passions, and appreciate the limited time we all have.
Throughout history, artists, philosophers, and jewellers have used symbols such as skulls, skeletons, bones, hourglasses, and crosses to communicate this idea.
The Origins of Memento Mori Jewellery
Memento Mori jewellery became particularly popular during the 16th and 17th centuries. Wealthy Europeans often wore rings, lockets, and pendants featuring skulls or engraved reminders of mortality.
These pieces were not considered morbid. Instead, they were worn as personal reminders to live a meaningful life and focus on what truly matters.
Many designs incorporated:
Skulls
Skeletons
Coffins
Hourglasses
Crosses
Religious symbolism
Each element carried a message about the temporary nature of life and the importance of making the most of every moment.
Victorian Mourning Jewellery
The popularity of mortality-inspired jewellery continued into the Victorian era.
Following the death of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, mourning jewellery became widely worn throughout Victorian society.
Victorian mourning jewellery often contained:
Locks of hair
Black enamel
Jet gemstones
Memorial inscriptions
Symbolic motifs such as crosses and flowers
These pieces were deeply personal keepsakes, designed to honour loved ones and preserve memories.
Although mourning jewellery and Memento Mori jewellery are closely related, Memento Mori pieces typically focus on the universal reminder of mortality rather than commemorating a specific individual.
Why Memento Mori Jewellery Still Resonates Today
In today's fast-paced world, many people are drawn to jewellery with meaning.
Memento Mori jewellery offers an alternative to fast fashion and trend-driven accessories. It encourages reflection, storytelling, and connection to history.
For some, these pieces serve as reminders to:
Live authentically
Appreciate loved ones
Embrace life's impermanence
Find beauty in the natural cycle of life and death
Memento Mori at Olivia Dryden Jewellery
The themes of remembrance, nature, and life's fragility have long influenced my work.
My Memento Mori Collection draws inspiration from historical Memento Mori jewellery while incorporating my own contemporary style and fascination with natural forms.
Pieces within the collection include:
The Memento Mori Cross Brooch
The Skull & Cross Bone Brooch
Skull pendants
Skull earrings
Cross bone jewellery
Each design is handcrafted in sterling silver and intended not as a symbol of darkness, but as a reminder to appreciate the present moment and the people we share it with.
Following the loss of my father in 2025, these themes have become even more meaningful within my practice. Jewellery has always had the power to tell stories, preserve memories, and create connections across generations.
A Tradition That Continues
Memento Mori jewellery has endured for centuries because its message remains timeless.
Far from being a celebration of death, it is a celebration of life itself — a reminder to be present, pursue what matters, and treasure the moments we have.
Whether worn for its symbolism, its history, or simply its beauty, Memento Mori jewellery continues to connect us with one of the oldest traditions in adornment.
The Memento Mori Cross Pendant is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The pendant is formed from bird bone shapes arranged into a cross, creating a quiet symbol of memory, mortality and reflection. Cast in sterling silver, the bone forms become a lasting wearable object with a refined, slightly gothic presence.
Freshwater pearls add soft organic contrast to the sculptural silver form, balancing the darker symbolism of the cross with gentle lustre and natural variation.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each necklace is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The bird bone forms were originally moulded, then wax versions were arranged into the cross shape before being cast in sterling silver. Slight differences in texture, finish and pearl character should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: Chain length: 45 cm.
Cross pendant: 4 cm.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q1: What does memento mori mean?
A: Memento mori is a Latin phrase meaning “remember that you must die”. In jewellery, it often refers to symbolic pieces that reflect on mortality, memory and the fleeting nature of life.
Q2: Is the Memento Mori Cross Pendant made from real bone?
A: The finished necklace is made from sterling silver, not bone. The design began with real bird bones, which were carefully moulded so their delicate natural structure and surface detail could be preserved. Wax forms were then created from those moulds and arranged into the cross shape before being cast in sterling silver.
Q3: Is the Momento Mori Cross Pendant suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
The Skull & Cross Bone with Drop Earrings are handcrafted sterling silver earrings made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. They belong to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The design combines a small hand carved human skull form with fox tail vertebrae shapes arranged into cross bones, creating a piece that speaks to remembrance, mortality and the beauty found in natural remains. Cast in sterling silver, the forms become sculptural earrings with a refined, slightly gothic presence.
These earrings are available with your choice of freshwater pearl or onyx drop. Freshwater pearls bring a soft organic lustre, while onyx adds a darker, more dramatic contrast to the silver skull and bone forms.
Materials:
Sterling silver, with your choice of freshwater pearl or onyx drop.
Process: Each pair is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The skull and fox tail vertebrae forms are created through moulding and casting, then finished by hand. Slight differences in texture, finish and pearl or gemstone character should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: 5 cm length.
Pearl or onyx drop: 0.8cm.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more earrings.
FAQ
Q1: What drop options are available?
A: The Skull & Cross Bone with Drop Earrings are available with your choice of freshwater pearl or onyx drop. Freshwater pearl creates a softer organic contrast, while onyx gives the earrings a darker, more gothic mood.
Q2: Are the Skull & Cross Bone with Drop Earrings part of the Curios Collection?
A: Yes. These earrings belong to the Curios Collection, a series of jewellery inspired by natural history, memento mori symbolism, ethical specimen work and curiosity cabinets.
Q3: How do I clean the Skull & Cross Bone with Drop Earrings?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because the earrings include a freshwater pearl or onyx drop, do not place the drop in silver dip. A silver dip may be used occasionally on the silver components only, following the product instructions carefully before rinsing and drying completely.
