Lot Nr.2017

A human skull with magical square

German, 16th/17th century
Human skull, the lower jaw missing. On the calvarium engraved a magical square with the Sator formula. Nice age patina. Height 14 cm.
The magical square bearing the protective Sator spell can be traced back to the 14th century and was especially widespread in Southern Germany. The formula, which can be read from all four directions, says "Sator Opera Tenet" (The Planter - i.e. Creator - preserves his work) was said to yield protective power against natural disasters such as wildfires. The word "tenet" can easily be indentified as a cross, the square can simultaneously be read as a cryptogram of the words "pater noster". Cf. Georg Laue, Memento Mori, p. 168.

Condition: II-III

Limit: 6000 EURO

6300 EURO