Mummified gnome in a tiny coffin proved to be the work of a Swedish prop artist

And what have we here? A mummified gnome in a little 27-centimetre coffin, with a note that reads: "This little house gnome was found by my father, Jan Petersson, in the winter of 1866, in the wall of an old barn. He was already dead."

It is well known that the Swedish house gnomes, the Hustomte, are kin to the fairies and dwell in the homes of people distinguished by cleanliness and thrift, bringing their hosts good luck.

Less well known, but beyond doubt a fact, is that this gnome, departed in peace, is the work of the Swedish prop artist Jakob Petterson, who owned up to it as far back as 2008. Since then the gnome has wandered the internet not as the story of an object of art, but as proof of the existence of magical creatures.

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Mummified gnome in a tiny coffin proved to be the work of a Swedish prop artist

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