31 OCTOBER 1925, Page 19

SKULLS IN PORTRAITS

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Will you allow me to enquire through your columns what is the significance of a skull placed, at the lower end usually, in many old portraits ? I am told that it is simply a variant of memento mori, fashionable for some time, but it is possible that there may have been some special reason for its introduction of which I am unaware.—I am, Sir, &c.,

Rockbeare Court, Devon. EDWARD MAY.