Damien Hirst's iconic diamond-encrusted platinum skull, titled "For the Love of God", is set to go on public display for the first time in a UK gallery at Tate Modern from 4/4/12 to 24/6/12.
"For the Love of God" is a life-size platinum cast of an eighteenth century human skull, covered by 8,601 flawless diamonds, inset with the original skull’s teeth. At the front of the cranium is a 52.4 carat pink diamond.
Since it was first exhibited in 2007, For the Love of God has become one of the most widely recognised works of contemporary art. Hirst himself has described the piece as "uplifting" and "takes your breath away".
The sculpture has been valued at £50m (€58m) and this has presented some challenging issues for the gallery, which is expected to step up security for the display.