By the mid-17th century the memento mori ring had merged with the memorial ring marking the death of an individual, identifiable by the black enamel, initials and dates, and coat of arms, transforming them from exhortations to godly living into memorials of people. Later on cross bones, rotated bezels and other symbols were added to memento mori jewellery. In Roman times subjects like skeletons, skulls, butterflies and most frequent Cupid-like figures holding a torch of life with the flame extinguished are the common symbols used in memento mori images of those days. These both sensitive subject are beautifully described in the book ‘Rings, Jewelry of Power, Love and Loyalty’, by Diana Scarbrick, wherein a complete chapter is devoted to ‘Memento mori and memorial rings’. Memento mori jewellery do exist since Roman times and revived in the late Middle Ages, but combined with Christian teaching on the need to live a good life. It's usefully cross-referenced, too, which makes things easier for the reader who's looking to interpret the symbols of a specific painting - a very friendly reference book that works well for the beginner, I reckon.Like several of the other subjects I once spoke about also this one is known since ancient times. And though I read the whole thing through, it's one of those reference books that you could open up and dip into and find something informative and interesting on any random page. That being said, within these limits this appears, to my limited knowledge, a rather exhaustive reference. Greek and Roman sources predominate there's no mention of Celtic or Scandinavian myth here, for instance. Even those are somewhat limited - the religious influence is entirely Christian, as would largely be expected in Europe, and the mythology is classical. Of the art covered, the subjects and symbols come primarily from two sources: myth and religion.
It rather gives the appearance of art in general, but Hall's focus is entirely European - if you're looking to understand symbolism in Asian or African art, for instance, look elsewhere. The title is somewhat misleading, however. Enormously thorough listing and explanation of subjects and symbols in art, and full of fascinating detail.
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