Catalogue Number
NMLH.2005.32
Object Name
banner
Title
Remember Thy End
Description
A painting of a skeleton
The painting of the skeleton would have been unfurled during initiations into secret societies during the 1830s. This was a period when membership of trade unions and friendly societies was illegal. The skeleton is flanked by a sun and a moon, centred with an arched row of stars. The image is summounted by the workds "Remember Thy End". The use of a skeleton, alongside a gun during the initiation ceremony was intended to remind the person joining the society of the danger of breaking the code of silence about their existance.
The painting was acquired in its carriage box.
**ON DISPLAY**
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