Palmistry
An ancient method of fortune telling is palmistry or palm reading, a method of alleged divination also known as "chiromancy." It probably originated in the East and was spread westward possibly by the Romany peoples (or Gypsies).
Palmistry involves analyzing the shape of the hand and fingers, the lines of the palm ( including the "head," "heart," and "life" lines), and other features, including— more recently— the fingerprints.
Gypsy Charcoal Drawing
Untitled, charcoal drawing of gypsy fortuneteller reading palm of gentleman, about 17" x 21", in old wood-backed frame. Rather amateurish rendering on laid charcoal paper, watermarked "Lala[...]" in script, probably dates from first quarter of twentieth century. (Note: intermediate sheet of cardboard had caused cellulose degradation of back of drawing and was replaced 8-24-04 by sheet of acid-buffering museum board.)
