13. The Clutching Hand of the Séance
During the Victorian era, séances were popular gatherings where mediums claimed to communicate with the deceased. To enhance the illusion of contact, some mediums employed tricks involving ‘spirit hands’—fabricated hands that appeared to reach out to attendees in the darkened room. These performances blurred the line between belief and deception, captivating audiences with the spectacle of the supernatural. For a deeper exploration of these practices, Smithsonian Magazine delves into the spiritualist craze and the notorious tricks employed by mediums (smithsonianmag.com).
