First Look: Skulls & Roses Playing Cards

Skulls of death, roses of life... together they embody transformation, rebirth, and the eternal cycle. Created by Bruce Di Quinzio of Kardgic Playing Cards, Skulls & Roses is more than a deck, it is a meditation on life, death, and what lies beyond. Designed during the stillness of the pandemic by Joe Feldpausch, this project reflects on change, beauty, and the unseen realms that connect us.

The tuck case blends vintage cathedral-inspired ornamentation with modern geometric symmetry. Faceted skulls mirror each other across the design, softened by delicate rose flourishes, while earthy tones and intricate pinstripes lend a timeless, architectural elegance.

Inside, the cards continue the theme of duality. Each suit is reimagined with geometric prisms that form dimensional pips, fractured pinstripe borders, and rich tonal palettes, from the deep greys of Spades and Clubs to the maroon elegance of Hearts and Diamonds. 

The custom courts reimagine Kings, Queens, and Jacks as regal, faceted skulls crowned in gothic grandeur, while the Jokers contrast serenity and passion, linked by mirrored roses.

The Ace of Spades, centerpiece of the deck, features a bold geometrical skull within its spade, entwined by organic vine-like details, a striking symbol of transformation and renewal.

Now on Kickstarter.