What's With The Skulls?

[Rayban]

Question about skulls.....why??

I see them everywhere in leather these days. I will admit, I'm usually pretty impressed with the workmanship and carving of them, I just don't get the fascination with them.

I'm sure it must be some culture thing, but I don't get it, someone please enlighten me.

And don't think I'm knocking it, again, most of the ones I see on leather work are .....well, kinda nice......but when I saw one this morning on what seems to be a ladies purse, I have to beg the question....why??

[pete]

Question about skulls.....why??

I see them everywhere in leather these days. I will admit, I'm usually pretty impressed with the workmanship and carving of them, I just don't get the fascination with them.

I'm sure it must be some culture thing, but I don't get it, someone please enlighten me.

And don't think I'm knocking it, again, most of the ones I see on leather work are .....well, kinda nice......but when I saw one this morning on what seems to be a ladies purse, I have to beg the question....why??

Don't think you're the only one!!!

Skulls are ok, and HERE they are really well done for the most part.

But what the (*@#$ is the fascination with them?! I've seen them posted on saddles, purses, lighters,hats,dashboards, bracers,.......... Must be a "culture" thing of some kind like piercing and tattoos. Although motorcycle seats I can understand.

Just didn't want you to feel alone

[Spinner]

Question about skulls.....why??

I see them everywhere in leather these days. I will admit, I'm usually pretty impressed with the workmanship and carving of them, I just don't get the fascination with them.

I'm sure it must be some culture thing, but I don't get it, someone please enlighten me.

And don't think I'm knocking it, again, most of the ones I see on leather work are .....well, kinda nice......but when I saw one this morning on what seems to be a ladies purse, I have to beg the question....why??

Don't think you're the only one!!!

Skulls are ok, and HERE they are really well done for the most part.

But what the (*@#$ is the fascination with them?! I've seen them posted on saddles, purses, lighters,hats,dashboards, bracers,.......... Must be a "culture" thing of some kind like piercing and tattoos. Although motorcycle seats I can understand.

Just didn't want you to feel alone

Being part of the "I like skulls" crowd, I'd have to agree it's likely due in part to the culture/generation. But to flip it around...what's with all the flowers? It's kind of funny when you think about it, leather is commonly associated with durability, toughness, being rugged and typically involves cultural icons such as the "Old West", True Grit type cowboys, motorcycles/bikers & Medieval armor/weaponry yet it's most often decorated with floral arrangements & scrollwork.

Being mainly a "city boy" raised by my small-town-gone-techie parents, my cowboy exposure was limited to a few summers on my Grandfather's run-down ranch property in my teens and Spaghetti Westerns so naturally when I first got into leatherworking and saw so many holsters, sheaths, saddles, etc. adorned with flowers & vines my first reaction was WTF?! LOL. A few years later I'm older and wiser on the subject and understand the tradition and heritage (and skill required) but I still find it very interesting how perceptions can be formed. Little known fact - I do 100% biker & motorcycle gear and to date have had only one request for skulls (and one floral)...now U.S. Military icon, logo and insignia requests? I can't even count how many of those I've had/done. Go figure.

Cheers,

Chris

[Phatdaddy]

I think they are great! I have a number of skulls throughout my tattoos and I think they are very suited to leather gear as well.

While I can't explain it over all, I just wanted to support it! To each is their own!!

Kevin

[Rayban]

I don't Not support the skull kulture...I just want to understand it.....

[King's X]

I have to agree with Spinner a lot. More and more art mediums are going on to leather nowadays. To include skulls. I think to understand "why" skulls you would have to understand what they mean or represent to the individual. Just ask anyone that carves them and they will tell you. Chances are that they use them because quite frankly they look 'cool.' Why does someone tattoo themselves with tribal art or flames or other art. Why do some pierce themselves with rings or studs in what I would consider an abnormal spot? Like Spinner suggests, it is just culture or generational trends. I guess when I am 80, I will not have to worry what my skull art will look like on leather instead of my body!

Good luck.

[Ferg]

Don't want you to feel under-privelege. I simply do not understand the skulls, among a few other adornments either. You have to remember at almost 78 years young, I come from a totally different "revolution".

I think I am maybe, offended by some of the way over the edge stuff. Skulls with swords protruding, blood dripping, you get the idea.

I used to do sand blasting of glass mostly. I never did understand why someone would want a Dragon character shooting flame on their shower door. LOL

Chris,

I admire your expertise and always feel that your "weird" items are done in very good taste. That has to come from your background in "Carved" Art.

ferg

Question about skulls.....why??

I see them everywhere in leather these days. I will admit, I'm usually pretty impressed with the workmanship and carving of them, I just don't get the fascination with them.

I'm sure it must be some culture thing, but I don't get it, someone please enlighten me.

And don't think I'm knocking it, again, most of the ones I see on leather work are .....well, kinda nice......but when I saw one this morning on what seems to be a ladies purse, I have to beg the question....why??

[Spinner]

I have to agree with Spinner a lot. More and more art mediums are going on to leather nowadays. To include skulls. I think to understand "why" skulls you would have to understand what they mean or represent to the individual. Just ask anyone that carves them and they will tell you. Chances are that they use them because quite frankly they look 'cool.' Why does someone tattoo themselves with tribal art or flames or other art. Why do some pierce themselves with rings or studs in what I would consider an abnormal spot? Like Spinner suggests, it is just culture or generational trends. I guess when I am 80, I will not have to worry what my skull art will look like on leather instead of my body!

Good luck.

All good points X, in the case of skulls, I'd also venture to say it's part of the progression to mainstream society of the biker persona as well. Think back to the 50s and 60s and "Bikers" were a subculture that was considered hoodlums & bad, scary guys. The average person didn't have tattoos, piercings ride around on noisy Harleys, wear black leather everywhere, etc. As the biker persona has permeated the masses and become not only accepted but a glorified status symbol for many a wanna-be weekend bad boy they've brought with it many of the icons, styles and symbols. Anthropology 101...to be accepted as one of the villagers, you adopt their likes and tastes. Back in the day, many of the 1% or hardcore clubs adopted symbols that involved skulls not only because they look cool but they also have an ominous message to 'outsiders'.

The biker part aside, skulls as an icon are also prevalent in many religions and is a part of everyday life for some groups. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is chock full of skulls & skeletons, ancestral skulls are a large part of Haitian Voodoo, heck, look back to the days of sea fairing pirates and you'll find skulls aplenty.

So as you said X, while for some it's simply a matter of skuls being the "in" thing, they can also mean something more to the individual...I tend to like dragons more myself, no special meaning, they just look cool.

[Spinner]

Chris,

I admire your expertise and always feel that your "weird" items are done in very good taste. That has to come from your background in "Carved" Art.

ferg

Well thanks Ferg. Funny thing is, most of the stuff I have done on leather to date has been pretty tame! Things got weird in the later years in my woodturning career for sure though. I did a three piece series called "Darkness" that was definitely out there, but they also opened people's minds to new ideas. That's what art is all about, right?

[TexasJack]

I'm not big on skulls either. But if that's your thing, that's fine too.