Death as a drummer: Throughout the ages artists and craftsmen have made virtuoso carvings as a display of their skill and ingenuity. Although ivory, wood and stone are relatively easy to carve, other materials such as gemstones are much more demanding. Most of these carvings were made for wealthy patrons and collectors, who delighted in the rarity of the material and quality of the carving. Dance of Death subjects proliferated in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.
(via tremorsflyingagain)
