French Wood Tattooed Hand: Triple Seven with Crowned Skull

Good luck, spelled out across four fingers.

French makers produced this jointed wooden hand in the 20th century, with pigment decorations. Articulated hands like this are commonly associated with artists’ studios. The fingers spell out good luck in dark capital letters, and the curled hand shows a crowned skull on the back with decorative flourishes around it. A diamond with a small script marks the wrist. The wood is a warm tan, slightly darker at the edges, with joints visible at each knuckle.

About 11 inches tall. A rakish talisman for a desk.