Lot 135

Rock of Ages Sculpture by Richard Shaw for Ed Hardy [Tattoo - Fine Art] (San Francisco, ca. 1990) 12 x 18 in. (30.5 x 45.7 cm.)

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Rock of Ages Sculpture by Richard Shaw for Ed Hardy [Tattoo - Fine Art] (San Francisco, ca. 1990) 12 x 18 in. (30.5 x 45.7 cm.)

Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000

Starting Bid: $7,500

(0 Bids)

by Bray & Co. Auctions
July 26, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
33 Jewell Court
Portsmouth, NH, US 03801

Rock of Ages Sculpture by Richard Shaw for Ed Hardy [Tattoo - Fine Art]
(San Francisco, ca. 1990)
Rock of Ages by Richard Shaw (b. 1941), commissioned by Don Ed Hardy (b. 1945), San Francisco, California, ca. 1990. Hand-painted glazed porcelain.

Based on the iconic Rock of Ages tattoo design, this sculpture was commissioned by Don Ed Hardy and reproduced in his publication Rock of Ages (1992). Displayed for many years in the front window of Hardy's Tattoo City studio on Lombard Street in San Francisco, it became closely associated with the shop and its visual identity. Pierced through the central cross, the work was designed to be illuminated from below, allowing light to pass through the composition and animating the iconic image in three dimensions.

The commission reflects the longstanding friendship and artistic dialogue between Hardy and Richard Shaw, both of whom studied at the San Francisco Art Institute during the early 1960s. While Shaw is best known for his trompe-l'oeil ceramic sculptures, Hardy's career would help redefine tattooing as a contemporary art form. The present work brings together the interests of both Bay Area artists, translating one of tattooing's most enduring motifs into sculptural form.

Illustrated in Ed Hardy, Rock of Ages: Being a Celebration & Manifestation of the Historic & Enigmatic Epidermal Icon As Seen by Various Artists. Honolulu: Hardy Marks Publications, 1992, p. 85.

  • Dimensions: 12 x 18 in. (30.5 x 45.7 cm.)
  • Condition: Bray & Co. Auctions is committed to providing accurate and thorough catalog descriptions, but prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to examine property in person or request additional information prior to bidding. Condition statements are offered solely as a courtesy and reflect our general observations at the time of cataloging; they should not be regarded as complete or definitive descriptions of condition, nor as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Certain imperfections, restorations, or signs of wear may not be specifically noted in written reports but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which form part of the overall condition description. Please consult our Terms of Sale for additional information, and contact Bray & Co. Auctions with any questions or requests for supplemental photographs or condition details.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000