Handschmeichler Long-Shaped
Handschmeichler Long-Shaped
Handschmeichler is a sensory object made of talc and diamond, the softest and hardest minerals according to the Mohs scale.
Traditionally, it is a kind of hand-soothing object; the translation from German refers to it as a “hand flatterer” —and in Germany this is something that actually exists, made of wood or stone—. It is an object that fits comfortably in the hand due to its size and creates a pleasant sensation when touched, thanks to the smoothness of its surface and its rounded edges.
This piece was part of “Intimidad transescalar,” an artistic intervention at the Geominero Museum in Madrid.
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DETAILS OF THE PIECE
DETAILS OF THE PIECE
Each Handschmeichler is a unique piece. They are sculpted by hand in our atelier in Barcelona from blocks of natural talc extracted by the artist from the open-cast quarry in Trimouns (France). Each one has a different shape and measures between 6 x 3 and 8 x 4 cm.
At the end of the sculpting process, a 2mm rose-cut natural diamond is set in a white gold mouth which is in turn set in its centre.
Each piece has its custom-made box with an interior made of wool felt, which stores and protects it, both for transport and for its display.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
Handschmeichler is a series of unique pieces that belonged to my solo exhibition, Children and Fools, at Chiquita Room gallery in Barcelona in 2023. The main piece in this exhibition is Ser Nadie, an art installation that takes the form of a jewellery set made entirely of talc. It is a forceful but very delicate work, as talc is a fragile mineral.
When we finished modelling all the pieces in the exhibition, we realised how pleasurable it had been to work with talc. It being the softest mineral on the Mohs scale proved to be ductile but dense, very soft and unctuous. But these pieces could only be touched by those of us who worked on them. The public at the exhibition could not. So this delicate object was born, a hand piece, made to be touched, like the worn bar of soap, like the pebble you pick up on the beach, put in your pocket and caress every time you put your hand in your coat.
PERSONALISED ASSISTANCE
PERSONALISED ASSISTANCE
The professionals at Teresa Estapé are here to assist you with any inquiries you may have.
We invite you to schedule a private appointment at her atelier in Barcelona to explore the pieces and receive personalised advice from our specialists.
Our team is also available for online appointments. Please contact us to arrange a call or to receive assistance via WhatsApp.
SHIPPING & RETURNS
SHIPPING & RETURNS
Available for immediate shipping
- National shipping: 8 € (24 h)
- Balearics: 15 € (24 h)
- European Union: 25 € (3-4 days)
- Other countries: Consult price and deadline at info@teresaestape.com
Use the code “ATELIER” at checkout to collect your piece from our atelier in Barcelona with no shipping charges.
FAIRMINED GOLD
FAIRMINED GOLD
The 18-karat gold in this piece is Fairmined—ethically sourced gold that does not harm the environment and respects the labor rights of the miners who work in its mines.
The Fairmined certification is awarded by ARM (Asociación por la Minería Responsable) in Latin America. Mines under this certification are audited annually and meet strict standards that ensure responsible extraction.
Together with the collective Origen – Gold For Future, Teresa Estapé champions jewelry that embraces environmentally respectful practices and social values, working with ethical materials sourced from responsible mining and fair trade circuits.
