Ever feel like your new toaster oven is giving you the side-eye? Or maybe your antique mirror reflects more than just your image? You might just have a haunted object on your hands. Forget breakfast treats floating over hell portals; these cursed items have some seriously spooky stories. Here’s a list of ten creepy cursed and haunted objects that might make you rethink your next antique shop visit.
The Swansea Devil
Missing out on a job can be frustrating, but one architect in 1890s Swansea, South Wales, took it to a whole new level. After losing the contract to rebuild St Mary’s Church to famed architect Sir Arthur Blomfield, the snubbed local architect decided on revenge. He erected a building opposite the church and topped it with a statue of a smiling devil, cursing the church to be destroyed. During the blitz, the church took a direct hit, seemingly fulfilling the curse. Today, the Swansea Devil is a quirky landmark, leering at shoppers from the Quadrant Shopping Centre.
Man Proposes, God Disposes
Imagine taking an exam with a painting depicting ravenous polar bears feasting on frozen explorers staring back at you. That’s the reality for students at Royal Holloway, University of London. Painted in 1864 by Edwin Henry Landseer, this cursed painting is often hidden during exam periods due to its unsettling nature. Legend says that students who lock eyes with the polar bears will fail their exams, with one story claiming a student went mad and committed suicide after writing “The Polar Bears made me do it” on their paper. Superstition or not, it’s hard to concentrate with that grim scene looming over you.
Letta the Doll
Forget Annabelle; Letta is truly terrifying. This doll is rumored to have been made for a little gypsy boy over 200 years ago. After the boy tragically drowned, his soul supposedly became trapped inside the doll. Now residing in Australia with its owner, Kerry Walton, Letta continues to be one of the creepiest dolls you’ll ever see. With its menacing gaze and unsettling aura, it’s no wonder people claim it has a life of its own.
The Chained Oak
Located near Alton, Staffordshire, England, the Chained Oak is a spooky sight. This ancient tree is covered in massive, rusted chains, giving the impression it was once a rogue tree captured and bound by villagers. The legend says that the Earl of Shrewsbury was cursed by a beggar woman after he refused her a penny. She proclaimed that for every branch that fell from the oak, a member of his family would die. After a storm caused a branch to fall and a family member died, the Earl ordered the tree to be chained, preventing any more branches from falling.
Any Sweater Given to a Partner
Knitters beware! The ‘Sweater Curse’ suggests that knitting a sweater for your significant other is a surefire way to doom the relationship. While not necessarily supernatural, the curse is attributed to various factors. Maybe it’s bad timing, as knitting a sweater takes ages, plenty of time for a relationship to sour. Or perhaps the knitter subconsciously knows the relationship is ending and embarks on this grand gesture as a last-ditch effort. Either way, if you love your partner, maybe stick to store-bought gifts.
Merlin’s Oak
Carmarthen, Wales, is a town steeped in Arthurian legend, with origins linked to the wizard Merlin. A large oak tree once stood in the town, believed to have been planted by Merlin himself. A prophecy stated: “When Merlin’s Oak comes tumbling down, Then shall fall Carmarthen town.” After the tree was removed due to decay, the town suffered a train derailment and severe flooding the very next year. A branch from the tree is displayed in the local museum, possibly warding off further disaster.
Okiku
This doll, owned by a little girl named Okiku on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, is believed to house her spirit after she died. When her family moved, they left the doll with the monks of Mannenji Temple. What makes Okiku truly eerie is her hair, which continues to grow. Visitors claim that her hair grows longer over time, and some even say that her teeth are growing too. *shiver*
The Woman From Lemb Statue
This faceless statuette, resembling a fertility goddess, is rumored to bring death to anyone who touches it and their family. Displayed at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, the ‘Woman from Lemb’ is said to have caused the demise of numerous curious antiquarians and collectors. Maybe some artifacts are best left untouched.
Haunted Ledger
After the demolition of a jewelry shop in Brighton, England, builder Tony Benyovits discovered an old ledger hidden behind a wall. Taking it home to Maidstone, his family was soon plagued by strange voices, ghostly apparitions, and eerie images in their rug. One spirit demanded the book be returned to its hometown by the centenary of the first entry. The family donated the ledger to Preston Manor, Brighton’s most haunted house, hoping to appease the ghostly jewelers.
Portrait of Delphine LaLaurie
Commissioning a portrait of the infamous New Orleans slave owner Delphine LaLaurie seemed like a good idea at the time. Residents of an apartment building on the site of LaLaurie’s former mansion commissioned the piece, only to be haunted by the ghost of LaLaurie. Bone-chilling encounters led to the portrait being covered up and stored away. Sometimes, a smiling clown would have been a better choice.
So, next time you stumble upon an intriguing antique or a quirky piece of history, remember these tales. You never know what kind of creepy, cursed, or haunted object you might bring home!
What’s the creepiest object you’ve ever encountered? Share your stories in the comments below!
