Jewelry hand

A jewelry hand is a prosthesis that cannot be actively used, but is only intended to replace the lost limb as naturally as possible. The main focus was mostly on the cosmetic purpose. The oldest prosthesis found so far also served mainly as a cosmetic replacement for the toe (600 BC). Even with the first artificial hands, one orientated oneself as far as one could on the healthy extremity of the opposite side.

material

Resin-soaked cotton fabric was used as the material . Later, sheet iron was increasingly used, which was later replaced by aluminum and light metals. However, the weight continually caused greater problems, so from the 19th century onwards, wood types such as boxwood , capstan , maple , linden and Swiss pine were used . However, there has been little development in the jewelry hand sector itself, as it has mainly dealt with the aspect of weight reduction.

Examples

An example of a special jewelry hand is "the hand of Lamzweerde" from the 17th century. This jewelry hand was a fired prosthesis made of leather, so actually just a stiff leather glove, but which was suitable for carrying a quill pen. This was possible because the jewelry hand was built particularly light, so that the user could handle this hand quite easily and a spring could be attached between the fingers.

literature

• Liebhard Löffler: The replacement for the upper extremity, the development from the first testimonials to today. Enke, Stuttgart 1984, ISBN 3-432-94591-4 .