From Episode 74 – A Curse Upon Thee
In the latest episode “A Curse Upon Thee”, we look at five items considered to be some of the most cursed objects in history.
Listen to the episode to learn more about each object. See below for photos of the cursed items and related newspaper clippings.
The Hope Diamond
The Hope Diamond, one of the most famous and valuable gems in the world, is often associated with tales of a curse that brings misfortune to its owners. Originating from the Kollur Mine in India, it was initially part of a larger stone known as the “French Blue” before being recut and named after Henry Philip Hope. Over centuries, the diamond passed through several hands, with each owner reportedly facing a series of tragic events, including financial ruin, imprisonment, and even death. This has fueled the legend of its curse, although many historians believe the stories were embellished to enhance its mystique.
The diamond is now housed at the Smithsonian Institution, where it draws millions of visitors annually. While the curse is widely regarded as myth, the Hope Diamond’s storied past continues to fascinate, blending intrigue, history, and superstition.
Thomas Busby’s Chair
Thomas Busby’s Chair, also known as the “Dead Man’s Chair,” is a notorious piece of furniture associated with a curse that allegedly brings death to anyone who sits in it. The legend dates back to the early 18th century in North Yorkshire, England, where Thomas Busby, a convicted murderer, was said to have cursed the chair before being executed for killing his father-in-law. According to local lore, Busby declared that anyone who sat in the chair would meet an untimely death.
Over the years, several mysterious deaths were linked to the chair, with stories of individuals who sat in it and died soon after in accidents or under strange circumstances. To prevent further incidents, the chair was eventually hung on the wall of the Thirsk Museum, where it remains out of reach, adding to its eerie reputation.
The Hands Resist Him Painting
The Hands Resist Him is a painting by artist Bill Stoneham that gained notoriety as a “cursed” artwork after it was listed on eBay in 2000. Created in 1972, the painting depicts a young boy standing next to a lifelike doll in front of a glass door, behind which eerie, disembodied hands are visible. The painting’s unsettling atmosphere sparked stories of paranormal activity, with the eBay seller claiming that the figures in the painting would move during the night and that viewers experienced illness, fainting, or feelings of dread.
After the painting was sold online, its reputation as cursed grew, fueled by media coverage and internet speculation. While the artist and others have dismissed the curse as urban legend, The Hands Resist Him remains infamous, continuing to captivate and disturb those who encounter it.
The Crying Boy Paintings
The Crying Boy paintings, created by Italian artist Giovanni Bragolin in the 1950s, are part of a series depicting tearful young boys. These artworks gained a reputation for being cursed after a series of mysterious house fires in the UK during the 1980s, where homes were reportedly destroyed while the Crying Boy paintings remained inexplicably untouched. Firefighters and homeowners began to believe the paintings brought bad luck or caused the fires, fueling widespread fear.
Despite numerous reports linking the paintings to disasters, investigations found no concrete evidence of a curse, and many believe the rumors were simply fueled by coincidence and superstition. Nonetheless, the legend persists, and the Crying Boy paintings are still regarded by some as cursed objects.
Listen to the band Ob Jay Da’s song “Crying Boy” below. After it was recorded, their studio caught on fire.
The Dybbuk Box
The Dybbuk Box is a wine cabinet believed to be haunted by a malevolent spirit from Jewish folklore known as a “Dybbuk.” The box gained widespread attention in 2003 when it was listed on eBay by a man who claimed it caused strange and terrifying phenomena, including nightmares, illness, and unexplained events for anyone who owned or interacted with it. According to the legend, the box contains a Dybbuk, a restless and vengeful spirit capable of possessing the living.
Since the eBay listing, several owners have reported misfortune and eerie occurrences linked to the box, further fueling its cursed reputation. The story inspired movies and media coverage, solidifying the Dybbuk Box as one of the most infamous haunted objects in modern times, although skeptics regard the curse as a modern myth.
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