Tokyo-based jewelry designer Shinji Nakaba is known for his amazingly unique wearable collections made of nonconventional materials. His latest skull jewelry hand carved from pearls is a true demonstration of his craft.
Creating jewelry since 1974, Nakaba has quite an extensive collection to date as well as years of experience to draw from.
In an interview with Magnifeco, Nakaba said, “I just want to bring brand new life to something that has no value.” He writes on Etsy, “I use not only precious metals and stones, but also everyday things, such as aluminum beer cans, plastic bottle, or even garbage.”
The word “Vanitas” is carved into many of the artist’s skulls. This is the Latin word for “vanity,” and could be a reference to 16th-17th century funerary art. “Work of this type emphasized the meaninglessness of earthly life and the transient nature of all earthly goods and pursuits.”
