Four gold casts of Nelson Mandela?s hands are set to go up for auction next month. New York based auction house Guernsey?s will present the gold casts ? the only such sculptural works in existence ? on March 2 at the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City at 7.30pm. Created in 2002 to raise funds and awareness for the Nelson Mandela Children?s Fund, the former President of South Africa sat while every detail of his hand was meticulously captured in 99.99% pure gold mined by one of South Africa?s most highly regarded mines. The unique collection includes two powerful fists ? one inscribed ?1964", the year he was first imprisoned, and the other ?1990?, the year of his release. The other two sculptures, an open hand and a full hand impression set in a solid gold block, also commemorate his final year in prison. Deeply engraved with Mr. Mandela?s signature, the Gold Hands weigh between 77 oz. and 149 oz. each (2.7 kgs. and 4.6 kgs.) Remarkably detailed, one can feel Mr. Mandela?s fingerprints and the very scar the beloved Madiba sustained while imprisoned on Robben Island. Handsomely encased in rare South African kiaat wood, each hand is a treasure. A figurehead of modern democracy and equality, Mandela is recognized globally for his work in furthering human rights. In June of 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life in prison for his involvement against the South African apartheid regime. He would not be freed until 1990. Upon his release, Mandela quickly rose to political prominence for his role fighting against apartheid and for becoming South Africa?s first black president. In 1993, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize honoring his ?work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa.? Celebrated and respected as one of the most beloved men of our time, Mandela thought of the hand as a symbol of unity and history. To Mandela, ?hands are not so much about my life as they are about my country?. The public is invited to view the stunning gold hands at preview events taking place on March 1 from 12noon?7pm and March 2 beginning at 12noon. Absentee bidders will have the opportunity to participate on Liveauctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. 18 Feb 2020 Pictured: Four gold casts of former President of South African Nelson Mandela are set to go up for auction in New York on March 2, 2020. Photo credit: Guernsey?s/MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342