SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE STEEPLED FINGERS

   SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE STEEPLED FINGERS Many actors have played the role of Sherlock Holmes. Each of them has found a certain pose to express their version of Sherlock in thinking mode—most often by steepling their fingers.
  In reality, in the language of micro-expressions and gestures, steepling of the fingers (or hands pressed together and held in front of the body as if in prayer) is a sign of superiority. In Sherlock’s case this may actually be appropriate.
  Thinking is more correctly displayed by (usually) the non-dominate hand touching the forehead (sometimes with a slight rubbing movement of the fingers as if dealing with a minor headache) and the face downward with a neutral expression.
Thinking, or more correctly contemplating, is also displayed by hands gently clasped and a relaxed body. A sub-set of this is sherlock's thinking/contemplation while using his violin...
 

Thinking while in an anxious state can ben seen in hands behind head or one hand (usually the dominant hand) to the mouth...