It appears New York's Steinway piano family may have been into something far stranger than building world-class keyboards.
A box of antique voodoo dolls and voodoo masks was found at the Steinway Mansion in the Astoria, Queens landmark by an auctioneer preparing to sell items in the home.
It isn't certain whether the last owner of the house, Michael Halberian, used the masks and dolls in rituals before his death in December at the age of 82.
The discovery shocked auctioneer Michael Capo who called the find "eerie" and said that his staff, while professional, wants nothing to do with the objects.
"There is a dark story here," Capo told reporters.
Really?
What makes these masks so much more sinister than the masks people collect and adorn their homes with all around the world?
Capo said he isn't sure if he will put the masks up for auction yet. My guess is that you will see those "eerie" masks on sale with all the other items in the home, now that Capo has done his best to raise interest in them and generate some publicity.
If Capo is experienced enough to be clearing the Steinway Mansion, I'm sure these masks aren't the first ones he has run across while clearing out big, old homes of the rich and famous.
The first group of items from the Steinway Mansion are expected to go on sale March 26.
Be on the lookout for a box of spooky-looking masks and dolls that will be sold to the highest bidder.