Handstein

English

Handstein with garnet

Etymology

Borrowing from German.

Noun

Handstein (plural Handstein or Handsteins)

1. An ornament composed primarily of an interesting mineral or metal ore formation.
   • 1992, The Medal - Issues 21-23, page 14:

     Beside portrait medals he created numerous biblical medals, Handsteins, the Jachymov town seal, a model tile for decorating stoves, and a remarkable ink drawing for a richly ornamented cup on a Jachymov theme.

   • 1999, Copper as canvas:

     Ferdinand made special efforts to procure specimens and finished Handstein; an inventory of his collection the year after his death listed some thirty-five Handstein.

   • 2017, Matteo Valleriani, The Structures of Practical Knowledge, →ISBN, page 382:

     In some cases the specimens were reshaped to make clearer the parallel between the divine order, in which God was creator of ores, and miners and smelters the creators of metals. In one Handstein, the blood of the crucified Christ rains down over the mining district, redeeming the world, just as the miners and smelters redeem the metals from the dross of the ore.

Usage notes

While some authors point out that the literal translation of the German term is handstone, the word handstone does not appear to be used in this sense.