Description

Right hand and forearm of dark [tempered steel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempering_(metallurgy)) c. 1575-1625. According to legend the arm of Royal Secretary Olof Sverkersson Elfkarl, in office during the reign of Swedish kings [Johan III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_III_of_Sweden), [Sigismund](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigismund_III_Vasa) and [Karl IX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_IX_of_Sweden). Olof Sverkersson was called Olof Turncoat in many parts of the country and in [Finland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland) (which was a part of [Sweden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden) at that time) they called him Olof Perkelson, i.e. Olof Son of the Devil. The arm was included in the [Skokloster](https://goo.gl/Mspd5w) collection in the 1750’s when a substantial amount of objects were transferred from Salsta manor, previously owned by the [Bielke](https://goo.gl/F78x9L) family, to Skokloster. The arm had been in the Bielke armoury “since time immemorial”.