Rosary Terminal Bead with Lovers and Death's Head, North French or South Netherlandish, ca. 1500–1525. Ivory, with emerald pendant, silver-gilt mount. Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917, 17.190.305. © 2000–2017 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Overall: 5 3/8 x 1 9/16 x 1 11/16 in. (13.6 x 4 x 4.3 cm) ivory only: 2 13/16 x 1 9/16 x 1 11/16 in. (7.2 x 4 x 4.3 cm)

A string of beads is used as a memory aid in the recitation of the rosary, a multipart devotion to the Virgin. Here, the striking terminal bead announces the constant proximity of death by joining a skull to the pair of vivacious lovers. Such an image is known as a memento mori (reminder of death), as it encourages one to reflect on the transience of life.