Small skull — Dark red jasper

A dark red, almost burgundy, matte and deep, entirely opaque.

A piece carved from the solid block and then hand-polished; the motif follows the natural veins of the stone, so no two examples fall the same way on the design.

In tradition. Tradition links it to tenacity and to steadiness in effort.

The motif. The vanitas skull recalls how brief time is; in Mesoamerican traditions it is also a figure of memory rather than of death.

Use & care. A piece for a cabinet, a desk or a shelf, it stands on its own. Dust with a dry cloth; avoid water on pieces with soft veining.

• The darkest shades come from a high concentration of iron oxides.
• A natural piece: shade, veining and dimensions vary from one example to the next

A decorative object for personal practice. It is no substitute for medical advice or treatment.