THE GILDED SKULL COLLECTION
Memento Mori. Made Magnificent.
A meditation on mortality rendered in gold, crystal and hand-laid mosaic. Each piece in the Gilded Skull Collection confronts the ancient vanitas tradition through the lens of supreme luxury craftsmanship.
THE COLLECTION
Where Darkness Meets Gold
Robert J Grace draws on centuries of memento mori symbolism — the skull as reminder of life's brevity — and transforms it into objects of extraordinary beauty. Encrusted with Swarovski crystal, sheathed in 24-carat gold leaf and set with hand-cut mosaic, each Gilded Skull is a singular work of art.
These are not decorative objects in any conventional sense. They are philosophical statements — provocations in gold — that ask the beholder to consider what endures, what is precious, and what it means to live beautifully.
SINGULAR WORKS
Each Skull, a Statement
No two pieces are identical. Each Gilded Skull is conceived individually, its surface treatment, crystal selection and gilding technique determined by the character of the commission.
The Ossuary Collection
24-carat gold leaf, Swarovski crystal, hand-laid mosaic
Jewelled skulls set within a baroque ossuary — each piece encrusted in hand-laid mosaic with precious stone settings in sapphire, emerald and ruby.
The Catacomb Series
Gold, ruby crystal, hand-cast figurative detail
A candlelit tableau of gilded skulls draped in red velvet — each adorned with hand-cast gold figurative sculpture and deep-set ruby and diamond crystal.
PHILOSOPHY
Vanitas Vanitatum
“The skull has been the artist's companion for five centuries. I simply asked what it would look like if Fabergé had made one.”
PRIVATE COMMISSIONS
Commission Your Own
Each Gilded Skull is available as a private commission. Robert J Grace works directly with each client to determine the surface treatment, scale and crystal selection that best expresses their vision.
Enquire Privately