Fully Working • Decorative Coil Machine • Ornate Metal Grip • From My Personal Collection
Skull & Snake Coil Tattoo Machine
This Skull & Snake coil tattoo machine comes from my personal collection and is another example of the highly decorative tattoo machines that became popular during the 2000s.
This is not an expensive branded or collectible machine such as some of the professional Workhouse machines in my collection. I no longer know its original manufacturer, so I prefer to describe it simply for what it is: a fully working old-school coil tattoo machine with a very distinctive decorative frame.
And it certainly has character.
When Tattoo Machines Were Made to Be Seen
The elaborate frame combines a large skull, a coiled snake and several sculpted decorative elements, all finished in an antique copper/brass-style colour.
The matching metal grip continues the same style, with a heavily ornamented raised design that gives the entire setup a distinctive appearance.
Machines like this became quite popular during the 2000s, including among tattoo artists in our part of Europe.
They had something of a double purpose.
They were functional tattoo machines that could actually be used for work, but at the same time they were designed to look impressive on the artist’s workstation.
For many tattoo artists, the machine itself was part of the atmosphere of the studio.
Still a Fully Working Coil Machine
Despite its age, this machine is fully functional.
It uses the traditional electromagnetic coil system that dominated professional tattooing before rotary and modern pen-style machines became widespread.
Today, its appeal is probably just as much visual as practical.
It could still be used by someone who enjoys traditional coil machines, but it would also make an unusual display piece for a tattoo studio, collection or cabinet of older tattoo equipment.
A Piece of 2000s Tattoo Style
Modern tattoo machines are often designed around simplicity: compact bodies, lightweight materials and minimal forms.
This machine comes from a very different design philosophy.
Skulls, snakes, sculpted frames, antique-metal finishes and elaborate grips were part of the visual language of tattoo equipment during that period.
They weren’t necessarily expensive machines — but they certainly weren’t boring.
For me, that’s part of the reason these old decorative machines are still interesting today.
Condition
Used • Fully Working • Good Condition
The machine shows normal signs of age and previous use but remains fully functional.
The decorative frame, coils and ornate grip are all present as shown in the photographs.
Please examine the photographs carefully, as they show the actual machine being offered and form part of the description.
What’s Included
The sale includes:
1 × Skull & Snake coil tattoo machine
1 × decorative metal grip shown in the photographs
Power supply, cables and other accessories are not included unless specifically stated.
From My Personal Collection
I’ve owned this machine for many years.
It was never one of my expensive tattoo machines, but machines like this have their own place in tattoo history for me. During the 2000s we liked equipment that could do more than simply work — it could also look good sitting in the studio.
This one did both.
Today I see it as a fun reminder of that period: part working tattoo machine, part decorative object.
Rather than leaving it in storage, I would prefer it to go to someone who enjoys traditional coil machines or simply appreciates the extravagant tattoo equipment designs of the 2000s.
Price: €55
Serious enquiries are welcome. Shipping can be arranged depending on destination.