Hand of Glory Prop

I've created a new prop for my cabinet of curiosities - a Hand of Glory.


The basic legend is, they were used as a tool by thieves well versed in the occult. The severed hand of a robber or murderer, executed for their crimes, was fashioned into a macabre candelabra. For each candle lit, one person in a home would sleep without waking until the flame was put out, allowing a thief to steal away without fear of being caught.


I imagined my Hand of Glory a very old and well used one... traded, bought or killed for by numerous nefarious criminals in dark pubs and alleys over many, many years. The hand has become mummified and skeletal, not as fresh as it was when quickly and crudely, snapped off a forgotten ne'er-do-well pirate's corpse hanging on the gallows long ago. It was created in haste during some dark ritual... an exposed forearm bone was simply lashed a wooden candlestick keeping it upright.


I should mention that although I used real candles in this prop, it was only made to display them, not safely burn them. They were lit just for these pictures, and even then, for only less than a minute.

This piece started as a zombie hand I was making to rise out of the ground for the Halloween yard display this year, but a new idea for it hit me.

16 comments:

  1. I'm guessing those are real candles. Looks great!

    Rich

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    1. Yep, real candles with some added hot glue details. It was made just for display unlit, with no intention of actually being a prop that candles could burn safely on. I lit them briefly, just for the photos.

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    2. You reminded me to add that warning to the post. I just updated.

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  2. I love this....and the legend to go with it! Very cool!

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  3. Hands down the coolest candelabra, ever! I need to try and make me some zombie hands! Out of all the zombie a months I think I liked the shape of the hands and the poses the best.. I never get my props to where I'm happy with that.. Adding some model magic to my supply list!!!!

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    1. Thanks Dismal. Yeah, I find expressive hands add a lot to a zombie, plus there fun to make.

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  4. Could you be any more cool! That is amazing. You are ....yeah, I am out of words.

    LOVE your stuff!

    Cheers!

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  5. I've got to try making skeleton hands like yours using the model magic!

    Just a suggestion - you could age the twine - it looks too new . But you may have thought of that already and just haven't done it yet.

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    1. Your right, I noted that too after posting the pics...and the candles could be a less bright white.

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  6. LOVE this, especially the lashing to the wooden candlestick part, but my favourite bit is seeing it right after the Easter Bunny House post drawing. Hee hee hee

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    1. Thanks Tracy. It is funny to go from one cute extreme to another darker one.

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  7. Ohhhh love it love it! Sometimes I wish there were more than 24 hours in a day and I could use the extra hours to create. With all your how to's and inspiration I live in constant state of desire to create. I mixed papermache' last night to sculpt "Maggots Reallyius Biggus" Thank you so much for sharing so freely. Ellie

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