Tobacco jar in the shape of a skull

sketchfab

Tobacco jar carved in the form of a human skull, with an ivory snake wrapped around its head, is a rare and intriguing piece from Japan, dating back to the 18th century. This beautifully crafted boxwood container features a snake crawling through the ear and eye sockets, creating a haunting and thought-provoking design. The tobacco jar's resemblance to a memento mori serves as a poignant reminder of life's fleeting nature – a concept that took on new significance with the later realization of smoking's health risks in the mid-20th century. Object Number: A74840