About

A private tattoo & piercing atelier in Oxford

The house

Cult of Samma is a private, application-only tattoo and piercing studio behind an unmarked door in north east Oxford. The house has worked from Oxford since 2013, in progressively more private rooms, until the door stopped being public at all. There is no shopfront, no walk-ins, and no address online — where to find us is part of what you receive when your session is confirmed.

The work

The house takes three kinds of work. Tattooing, in psychosexual surrealist portraiture, abstract portraiture and Nouveau Baroque styles — commissioned projects rather than flash, built for the body they live on. Piercing, in limited private appointments. And ear curation: anatomy-led builds in 14ct gold and precious gemstones, considered against what you already wear and what you want to grow over time.

There is no menu and no price list. Every project begins with an application.

The artists

Four artists work from the house. Samma Charles, the founder, works only in his psychosexual and surrealist portraiture stylings. Molly Mahoney takes projects in abstract portraiture and Nouveau Baroque. Bryony 'Bri' Ward leads piercing and ear curation. Steven 'Shunt' Hunt takes a limited number of piercing appointments.

Recognition

The house was named Three Best Rated — Oxford from 2017 to 2022, and its Boston work Best of — Newton, MA three years running, 2024–2026. The rest speaks from skin.

Boston, MA

A second house opened in Boston in September 2022. It closes permanently in January — the final window of appointments is open now. The last sessions are here.

Booking a session

Choose your artist and apply. Every submission is read by the artist themselves — if your application is a good fit, they will be in touch directly.

Apply for a session

Common questions

Where is Cult of Samma?
The house is in north east Oxford. There is no public address — it arrives once your session is confirmed.
Do you take walk-ins?
No. Every session begins with an application, read by the artist themselves.
Do you do piercing as well as tattoos?
Yes — piercing and anatomy-led ear curation in 14ct gold, alongside commissioned tattoo work.
How much does it cost?
There is no price list, because no two projects cost the same. Every piece is commissioned, and the cost depends on the artist, the work, and what it takes to make it. Once your project is defined, your artist or piercer gives you a clear quote — before anything is booked.