Friday, May 12, 2023

The Monkey's Paw of Dunkerque

A few weeks back I found this French Victorian era glass souvenir casket box featuring a brightly back-painted lid image of the port of Dunkirk, where the famous Bataille de Dunkerque was to eventually be fought in 1940. And with its ornate, golden metal framework, glass sides, and tufted silk cushion within (unfortunately, quite rotted and disintegrating at this point), it was decided this was still the perfect casing to hold yet another macabre memento for Mr. Karswell's museum of miniature curiosities. And being of course more a horror buff than one of war history, --and turning to W. W. Jacobs for further inspiration-- a shriveled monkey's paw seemed to be the pawfect, final furry ingredient! Ideal for the overall size of the box, it is only after the lid is opened to reveal the petrified paw inside that we suddenly realize this sinister, spider-like appendage, in fact, does not wish to be contained at all, and it will quickly scurry out for an eerie escape almost instantaneously. It is also believed that the paw will grant you three wishes, and if you do wish to test this, I recommend that one does so very carefully and with much thought put into each and every single desire. I assure you, simply putting the paw back into the box and tightly securing the lid instead, becomes the wiser, more sound decision, as it is always best to avoid a trio of miscalculated, backfiring wishes of epically, deadly proportions.

5 comments:

  1. And FYI The paw is not real, but made of rubber and some type of tangly fur, originally featuring a USB port sticking out of the back end! Interested persons may find one HERE:

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/641475058/monkeys-paw-usb-drive

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  2. Dang, I really love that box's little feet (I like is little hand too, of course--Thing's atavistic young nephew, Doohickey)! The glass is still so clear. I really dig the pattern on the inside of the lid.

    Excellent item for the ol' reliquary!

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  3. That monkey's paw is grisly enough to look like a real mummified primate appendage.

    Even though it lacks a hasp, a small padlock locked into place on the handle would complete the look. Unlock the forbidden cursed item at your own risk!

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  4. To quote Homer Simpson, "I wish I had a monkey's paw..."

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  5. It would be so hard to resist wishing for the rest of the monkey!

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