These skull pins are quite the statement piece! Appearing in quite a variety of costumes and personas, the skull pin invokes a character, and perhaps also suggest something about the inner or outer worlds of the wearer.

In Mexican folk art, many items such as these depict visions of the afterlife, in which skeletons partake in everyday activities. These types of items are popular decorations and adornment for Day of the Dead.

The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos, Día de los Difuntos or Día de Muertos in Spanish) is a traditional holiday in Mexico and many South American countries. Based on a syncretization of ancient pre-Hispanic and Christian beliefs, this celebration of the memory of deceased ancestors is celebrated from dusk on October 31st through November 1 (All Saints Day) and November 2 (All Souls' Day).

Select the one you desire from drop down menu at checkout:

Catrin (top hat) - this dandy of the underworld can be found hobnobbing at the best society season events, or partying with the hoi palloi. It doesn’t much matter, as long as the good time provides opportunity, and is paid for by somebody else. He is devilishly fun, a great dresser, very charming, handsome, and irresistible.

Pachuco - jump and jive, rebellious and living on the outside of white American society and expectations, Pachuco is so cool, a little dangerous, and an amazing dresser. Think Zoot suits from the 1940’s, and low riders from the 1970’s.

Curlers - we know her and we love her: the woman unafraid to go out in her curlers, without concern for what people think, and unafraid to speak her mind. In fact, curlers may be her favorite hairstyle.

Cook - speaks for him or herself, only the head chef may wear this tall hat staple of the finest kitchen in the finest restaurant.

Cleopatra - empress of the Nile, legendary for her beauty and power, we are still talking about this legendary Queen who reigned thirty plus years before Christ.

Pharoah - it was the earliest Pharaoh, Narmer, who united the lands of upper and lower Egypt. Egyptologists have found items depicting him in a red crown surveying the bodies of his enemies. But was he the only Pharaoh to wear a red crown? There are so many greats, at least twenty-five to choose from when sporting this pin.

Nun - her habit speaks for her and her devotion.

Sleeping Joker - are they joking or are they sleeping? We’re not sure, maybe both. You decide.

Witch - the origins of her tall cap are so varied but boil down to the same thing, mysterious marginalized groups. The earliest historic speculation begins with the jews, but more theories center around independent women who belonged to mystery cults, or worked in ale-making, or with herbs, and were made to wear the cap as to identify them as such. Evolving this fashion craze, the conical hat has come to signify female learning of all the mystical arts, and that the wearer is in league with the dark feared and the unknown other.

White Beret - is he in the French Foreign Legion, or is he a Spanish Carlist known for conservative values and close associations with the Roman Catholic Church, or perhaps part of the Merchant Navy’s Arctic Convoy’s? We’re not sure, but if it speaks to you perhaps you’ll know.

Raccoon - in mythology, the raccoon plays the part of the trickster, and can outsmart other animals, but also raccoon is known to have spiritual powers that connect this world to the next.

The pins are handmade and painted clay. Each piece is unique and the pin material varies in strength. Vintage, sourced from Mexico.

0.5” X 0.5”