Ming Guard Mask / Flash Gordon

FLASH GORDON (1980) Imperial Guard Mask Ring

FLASH GORDON (1980)

Imperial Guard Mask Ring

Project Members: Corretta Singer and Jeremy Burnich

Project Members:

Corretta Singer and Jeremy Burnich

The Dino De Laurentiis produced 1980 film Flash Gordon is one of those love it or hate it movies. But, how you can not love a movie starring Topol, Max von Sydow, Timothy Dalton, Brian Blessed and Ornella Muti? The cast is amazing (yes, even Sam Jones and Melody Anderson somehow work), the camp style perfect, the lavish costumes and sets are eye catching and the soundtrack composed, performed and produced by Queen is rocking.

I've always wanted a prop from the film. Sadly I was a bit late when Prop Store Auctions had some Flash Gordon memorabilia up on the block. The guard masks used in the movie (see above and below) are made from fibreglass and painted with a polished faux-gold finish.

It sold for £1,800. Not a bad price for a piece of movie history.

This mask gave me an idea. I'm not one of those people that thinks skull rings are the ultimate fashion accessory for guys. It's a male fashion trend that just won't die (sort of apropos). The sugar skull trend was the last time a new idea was injected into this stultified realm. But in this Instagram age the first sugar skull ring was quickly followed by many more. Don't believe me? Google it.

Why Not Make A Unique Ring Inspired By Flash Gordon?

I'm not one of those people that thinks skull rings are the ultimate fashion accessory for guys. It's a male fashion trend that just won't die (sort of apropos). The sugar skull trend was the last time a new idea was injected into this stultified realm. But in this Instagram age the first sugar skull ring was quickly followed by many more. Don't believe me? Google it.

But, this mask gave me an idea.

Why Not Make A Unique Ring Inspired By Flash Gordon?

Why Not Indeed? So, we did.

I contacted the amazing Corretta Singer and we teamed up to create a ring that would evoke that masterpiece of pulp sci-fi and be a piece of jewelry that would seriously stand out from the rest of the boring "been there, done that" skull rings you see being hawked to guys every day.

Here it is.

The perfect ring for any occasion; classy enough to wear in Ming's palace and since it's made from brass, tough enough to stand up to a skirmish with Hawkmen on War Rocket Ajax.