Details
Description
Rare 19th century fortune teller's painted palmistry advertising sign c.1880.
an exceptionally rare and wonderfully eccentric late 19th century fortune …
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Rare 19th century fortune teller's painted palmistry advertising sign c.1880.
an exceptionally rare and wonderfully eccentric late 19th century fortune teller's monumental painted wooden palmistry hand, circa 1880, almost certainly originally made as an advertising or display sign for a practising palmist, fortune teller or itinerant practitioner of the occult arts. Of extraordinary oversized proportions, the hand is modelled with a large all-seeing eye to the centre of the palm and retains its original hand-painted decoration, with the fingers, mounts and lines annotated in latin with such inscriptions as junctura, mons jovis, mons lunae, mons veneris, mons martis and occides. The whole rises from a wonderfully primitive rocky-effect base carrying the boldly painted inscription “metoposcopia et physiognomia.” the terminology derives from the centuries-old european traditions of chiromancy, metoposcopy and physiognomy — interconnected systems through which practitioners purported to interpret character, health and destiny from the hand, forehead and physical appearance. The combination was well established in european occult literature by the 17th century, including johann ingebern's celebrated chiromantia, metoposcopia & physiognomia curioso-practica, first published at frankfurt in 1692. This extraordinary hand appears to translate that esoteric tradition into a piece of commercial folk art: an immediately recognisable and deliberately theatrical advertisement designed to attract the attention of prospective clients. Most importantly, the piece survives with its original painted surface and wonderfully distressed finish, with extensive craquelure, rubbing, fading, historic splits, old repairs and areas of loss throughout. These have deliberately been left untouched and form an essential part of its character and authenticity rather than being disguised through restoration. Monumental antique fortune-telling and palmistry advertising pieces of this scale and visual impact are exceptionally difficult to find, and this example combines folk art, advertising history and occult imagery to spectacular effect. A genuinely remarkable decorative object and an outstanding talking point for a serious collection.
dimensions height: 110cm width: 56.5cm depth: 10cm
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- Dimensions
- 22.05ʺW × 3.94ʺD × 43.31ʺH
- Period
- 19th Century
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Wood
- Condition
- Good Condition, Unknown, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Brown
Returns & Cancellations
Return Policy - All sales are final 48 hours after delivery, unless otherwise specified in the description of the product.
Cancellation Policy - Prior to shipping or local pickup, buyers may cancel an order for up to 48 hours, unless otherwise specified.
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