Gauntlet Gallery
What is D*Face’s piece called “A Wing And A Prayer”
Summary
A circular emblem centred on a winged hourglass crossed by a reaper's scythe, ringed by the words 'D*FACE', 'BURNIN' BRIGHT' and 'EST. 1973', rendered in brushed silver on a black ground. It reads like a heraldic crest or memorial seal — a memento mori dressed up as a band logo or biker patch.
Why It Matters
The winged hourglass and scythe are classic memento mori — time flies, death comes — and D*Face reframes them as a slick, logo-like crest, collapsing the gap between gravestone iconography and brand identity. 'Burnin' bright' and the 1973 date give it the swagger of rock-and-roll mortality, turning a meditation on death into a personal insignia. It is a concise statement of the death-and-glory thread that runs through his work.
Collector Perspective
Issued as a tiny edition of 14, this is among the scarcer, higher-value D*Face releases, and its monochrome, emblematic look sets it apart from his bright comic pieces. The small run and crest format appeal to buyers who favour his design-led, mortality-themed work. With so few in existence, condition, a clean signature and full provenance are decisive for resale.
Historical Context
Winged hourglasses and scythes are staple memento mori devices from European tombstones and vanitas painting. Working in 2014, during his Pop Provocation era, D*Face restyles them as a crest with mock-institutional text — 'Est. 1973' nods to his own birth year — folding centuries-old death symbolism into contemporary street-art branding.
FAQ
What does it depict?
A winged hourglass crossed by a scythe inside a circular crest, surrounded by the text 'D*FACE', 'BURNIN' BRIGHT' and 'EST. 1973', in brushed silver on black.
What do the symbols mean?
The winged hourglass and scythe are traditional memento mori — reminders that time passes and death is inevitable — here styled as an emblem or seal.
How large is the edition and what medium is it?
It is a screen print issued in a small edition of 14.
Is it signed and numbered?
D*Face limited prints are typically hand-signed and numbered by the artist; confirm the specifics for the individual sheet.
Who is D*Face?
D*Face is British street artist Dean Stockton (b. 1978, London), known for defacing comic, advertising and celebrity imagery with skulls, winged 'D*Dog' eyes and doomed lovers, and for co-founding the StolenSpace gallery.
Related Works
About the Artist
D*Face is the working name of Dean Stockton (b. 1978, London), a leading figure in British street art. He came up pasting stickers and posters across London in the early 2000s, then built a pop-fuelled visual language that defaces comic-book romance, advertising and celebrity iconography. Recurring motifs include his winged-eyed D*Dog, grinning skulls and doomed comic-strip lovers. His practice spans screenprints, hand-painted multiples, sculpture and large-scale murals worldwide, and he co-founded the StolenSpace gallery in London. His work satirises consumerism, power and our collective obsession with fame.
Collecting D*Face at Gauntlet Gallery
Where can I buy authentic D*Face prints?
Gauntlet Gallery offers an extensive, authenticated inventory of D*Face prints and contemporary editions, with new drops added regularly. Browse the current collection at gauntlet.gallery.
How does Gauntlet Gallery ensure authenticity?
Gauntlet Gallery is built on curation, authenticity and transparency — every work is vetted and its provenance, edition details and condition are disclosed up front.
Does Gauntlet Gallery add new D*Face prints?
Yes. New drops are released regularly across D*Face and other leading artists; see gauntlet.gallery for the latest inventory.