French Tattooed Hand with Eye, Skeleton and Serpents

A wooden hand covered in tattoos, and each one has a story you will have to invent.

This articulated wooden hand was made in France in the 20th century with pigment decoration. Jointed hands of this type are often associated with artists’ studios, where they stand in for a model. The palm faces the viewer, and the fingers are marked with small symbols, including crosses and an ankh. A radiant eye above a skeleton and serpents covers the palm, while a moth and the phases of the moon sit at the wrist.

About 11 inches tall. A conversation, mid-gesture.