Obj. ID: 22329
Sacred and Ritual Objects Amulet, Morocco, circa 1925
The flat amulet is in the shape of a symmetrical hand, with a hanger.
The palm of the hand is decorated with a fish inside an oval shape surrounded by a foliate pattern. The two outers fingers end in a round tip and are decorated with geometric pattern, while the central finger ends in a pointed tip and bears a foliate decoration.
A hanger is attached to the base of the palm and carries a loop.
The following description was prepared by William Gross:
From earliest times, man has tried to protect himself from misfortune by the use of objects which he considered holy or otherwise (e.g., magically) potent. Amulets and talismans are items generally worn around the neck or wrist, carried in a pocket or purse or hung on a wall. They are meant to protect or aid those who carried or wore them. The Hebrew word for amulet, kame‘a, has the root meaning "to bind". Jewish amulets are usually comprised of texts (either letters or graphic symbols) that are inscribed on some sort of material; some may also contain plant matter or precious stones. The texts of amulets usually include holy names that are believed to have the ability to affect reality, along with incantations summoning angels or other magical powers. For the most part, an amulet has a specific purpose: to ease childbirth, facilitate recovery from illness, improve one’s livelihood, and so on, but in the modern world many are also made for general protection.
An amulet from Morocco, this hamsa has inscribed on it a fish, indicating the use as an amulet for blessing and success. The use of the fish symbol in Morocco is rather unusual, as the fish is more usually associated with Tunisian objects. But as in much of North Africa, it symbolizes plenty, success and fertility. The fish is engraved within an elongated oval, representing the eye as an antidote to the evil eye.. These silver amulets were made by Jewish craftsman and were used by both Jews and Muslims.
The hamsa (five, as in five fingers) is an amulet shaped like a hand. The hamsa is arguably the most popular form of amulet against the Evil Eye and is used in a large number of countries. Probably originating in Moslem Spain of the 12th or 13th century, it crossed the sea to Morocco and spread across North Africa to the Middle and Far East.