Crania Anatomica Filigre by Joshua Harker
Last updated: 19 October 2026
Crania Anatomica Filigre is a small 3D printed skull by the American artist Joshua Harker, made from white nylon in a lace-like pattern of swirls and holes. The design began as a Kickstarter project in 2011, and Harker says it became the most funded sculpture project in Kickstarter's history. The small version is 8.8cm tall and costs $125 from his online shop, which ships worldwide.
What Crania Anatomica Filigre is
Joshua Harker is a sculptor who works mainly in 3D printed form. The Filigre skull is a human skull drawn as a mesh of scrolls and curls, so you can see through the bone to the other side.
Harker launched it on Kickstarter in September 2011, when he was based in Chicago. He told Core77 that "a perfect storm of software, technology, & materials engineering all came together" to make it possible.
How it is made
- The method: it is printed by selective laser sintering, where a laser fuses nylon powder layer by layer.
- The material: white SLS polyamide, a nylon that is slightly flexible and durable.
- The pattern: Harker describes it as the first time he applied his surrealist automatism technique, a kind of free drawing, to a recognisable form.
Key facts
- Price: $125 for the small version (about £94), plus shipping
- Size: 6.7 x 8.8 x 8.9cm (2.6 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches), about the size of a large orange
- Material: 3D printed SLS polyamide (nylon)
- Colour: white
- Stock: usually in stock, otherwise about two weeks plus shipping
- Artist: Joshua Harker
Who it suits
- Designers and architects: it shows what 3D printing can do with a complex form.
- People who like memento mori: a skull on a desk or shelf has a long history in art.
- Halloween and Day of the Dead fans: the pattern is decorative rather than gory.
For more design-led presents, see our gifts for designers.
The limits of the Filigre skull
It is priced in US dollars, so $125 is about £94 at the European Central Bank exchange rate on 19 October 2026. Shipping and any UK import charges come on top. I struggled to find a UK stockist.
It is also small. At under 9cm tall it is an object for a shelf or desk, not a centrepiece for a room.
Where to buy it in the UK
Joshua Harker sells the skull through his own online shop, and his FAQ covers shipping to other countries. The Crania Anatomica Filigre shop page has the current price and stock.
Crania Anatomica Filigre at Joshua Harker's shop
FAQs
How much is Crania Anatomica Filigre?
$125 for the small version from Joshua Harker's shop, plus shipping. I checked the price on 19 October 2026.
How big is the Crania Anatomica Filigre skull?
6.7 x 8.8 x 8.9cm, or 2.6 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches.
What is it made of?
3D printed SLS polyamide, a white nylon that is slightly flexible.
Who made Crania Anatomica Filigre?
The American artist Joshua Harker, who launched it on Kickstarter in 2011.
Can you buy it in the UK?
Yes, by ordering from Harker's online shop, which ships internationally.
More from CoolCuration
- R.I.P. Germain print: an A1 lithograph from the ICA for £100.
- Affordable art in the UK: prints and originals under £500.
- Gifts for artists: presents for people who make things.
- MADE x Barbican Curve Table Lamp: a chrome and blue lamp for £50.
I checked the price and stock at Joshua Harker's shop on 19 October 2026.
Follow us: Instagram
Copyright 2026 CoolCuration | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Affiliate Disclosure | Cool Factor
-----------
We are proud supporters of a safer more private internet via encouraging people to use Brave browser and are actively taking on Spammers as part of ProjectHoneypot. This site is hosted on servers that run on 100% renewable energy in the UK thanks to GreenWebHosting.
This site contains affiliate links, including to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for a service via these links, at no extra cost to you. All offers and promotions are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change or withdrawal by the businesses featured. We cannot guarantee their continued availability. Read our full affiliate disclosure.
Reviews and opinions on CoolCuration reflect the personal experience of our writers at the time of publication. They are not professional endorsements and your experience may differ. Scores use our Cool Factor rating system and are given independently of any commercial relationship.
All content on CoolCuration is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations or an endorsement of any product or service. We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not offer personalised financial guidance. You should always do your own research or consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.