French Skull Book with Wood Binding

Someone took a knife to a perfectly good book, and found this inside.

This skull book with a wood binding comes from France and dates to the 20th century, made of paper, wood and leather strapping. A skull beside a book is an old memento mori, a reminder in Western art that learning and vanity both end the same way. Here the pages themselves are carved. A life-size-looking face emerges from the block, teeth and sockets cut through lines of printed text. Page edges rise on both sides like curtains, and marbled covers stand open behind. It is 4.75 inches wide, 5.5 deep and 8 high.

Spoiler, as always: it ends the same way.