Abraham Lincoln’s right hand by Leonard Volk:

In May of 1860, American sculptor Leonard Volk asked Lincoln for a casting of both his hands to be used in later sculptures. Volk pictured Lincoln holding a document in his right hand and requested Lincoln simulate holding something. Lincoln went to his tool shed and returned with a segment of broom handle. The casting of Lincoln’s right hand was made as he held the broom handle.

Volk made one of the two existing life masks of Abraham Lincoln. It was made in 1860 while Lincoln was still a State Senator. The second mask was made by Clark Mills in 1865 just 2 months prior to Lincoln’s death. Although only 5 years separate the two masks, the changes in Lincoln’s face provide insight into the profound events that took place during the course of his presidency.