Praying Hands Gold Lapel Pin 1/2" SJ1043. This pin is called a Believer Pin and is in the shape of praying hands.
The story of the praying hands is that two of Albrecht Durer boys, a goldsmith with 18 children, wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. They decided that they would toss a coin and the brother who won the toss would complete his studies, in four years. The one who lost would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, by labouring in the mines. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg. When the young artist returned to his village, the family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's homecoming. After a memorable meal, Albrecht rose from his honoured position to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfil his ambition. His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. You can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you."All heads turned to where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, "No ...no ...no ...no." Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother ... for me it is too late."
To pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the world opened their hearts to this great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."
Praying Hands Gold Lapel Pin 1/2" SJ1043
