![Love beyond death: marriage ring with skull and skeleton motif from the late 16th century.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ring-titel-300x225.jpg)
Skulls and Skeletons
Skeletons and skulls have become cult symbols through artists and rock bands. However, the representation of life and death have a much older tradition.
![Andy Warhol's skulls influenced not only rock bands, but also the fashion industry.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/warhol-skulls-242x300.jpg)
![Lemmy Kilmister, frontman of Mötorhead swore by skulls.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/lemmy-200x300.jpg)
![This marriage ring consists of two hoops.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ring-1-300x300.jpg)
![When opened the bezel reveals a skeleton, a reminder of the transience of life.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ring-2-300x300.jpg)
![Facetted diamonds form the eyes and nose of the skull with sparkling surround. This betrothal or marriage ring dates from 1700-1710.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/totenkopf-schwarz-300x149.jpg)
![Still life by Adriaen van Utrecht, c. 1642.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/stilleben-300x234.jpg)
![This 18th century ring symbolises the closeness of life and death. The snake heads emerging from the sides represent death and rebirth, in combination with the skull.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ring-5-300x141.jpg)
![A coffin with miniature skeleton inside forms the bezel of this finger ring, made between 1690 and 1700.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/Sarg-300x240.jpg)
![Mourning ring with skull motif under rock crystal with hair of the deceased, was made in England in 1734.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/Sarg2-300x240.jpg)
![Victorian ring with miniature still-life sculpture of a skull on a table, surrounded by an angel and an owl, as well as butterfly. The ring dates from about 1890 to 1900.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/Ring-bearbeitet-300x200.jpg)
The collection
The exhibition showcases more than 7,000 exhibits from the Museum’s own collection, highlighting Swiss artistry and craftsmanship over a period of about 1,000 years. The exhibition spaces themselves are important witnesses to contemporary history, and tie in with the objects displayed to create a historically dense atmosphere that allows visitors to immerse themselves deeply in the past.