Sutton Hoo Saxon Buckle Tattoo

Today a man with ambition to create a sleeve of Saxon art added this intricate buckle from the Sutton Hoo Horde. The ship burial is giving us many sources for inspiration, and replicating the complexity of the metalsmith's art is a challenge to my tattooing skill.

Sutton Hoo Saxon Buckle Tattoo by Pat FIsh

"The ship-burial, probably dating from the early 7th century and excavated in 1939, is one of the most magnificent archaeological finds in England for its size and completeness, far-reaching connections, the quality and beauty of its contents, and the profound interest of the burial ritual itself." -Wikipedia

Saxon Buckle Artifact with Tattoo by Pat Fish

Heritage Claddagh Cross Tattoo Design

Today marked the culmination of a long project, bringing together three tattoos into one cohesive whole. On the chest we placed a claddagh cross, the Irish symbol for faith, loyalty, and courage. To honor this man's mixed Irish and American Indian heritage, the Cherokee symbol for friendship, the crossed arrows, was placed in the center of the cross. On his sleeve we completed a Cherokee seven pointed star with yin-yang wolves in the middle by adding Celtic knotwork that circles the wolf star and then flows around and under the arm. An ambitious sleeve for a persistent and proud man.

Cherokee Claddagh and Wolf Star tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Spiral Serendipity' Tattoo

Today a musician came for a band that represents the spiraling notes of the sounds that make her life fulfilled. Bracketed by triquetras, the classic Celtic triple spiral forms the center of a band that completes around her arm, returning to source.

Celtic 'Spiral Serendipity' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Boar Ring Pictish Celtic Tattoo

Today a man whose family crest features a mighty boar requested this custom uniting of both a 9th century Pictish stone carving of a boar and a 6th century Celtic knot work ring. Rendered in both wicker-shading and pointillist dots, it captures the ancient petroglyph art and translates it to skin.

Boar Ring tattoo by Pat Fish