Obj. ID: 36879 Amulet, Tiznit, circa 1935
sub-set tree:
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.
This form of hamsa was made in Morocco in a number of sizes. Its use was generally as pendants hanging from a necklace. This would certainly have been true of this smaller example. Larger versions are also in the Gross Family Collection. This particular group uses the traditional silversmith techniques but also includes enamel work and the setting of stones, probably from the area of Tiznit where such enamel work was done..The circle, the enameled flower and set stone within and the eye shape on the two large fingers all represent the eye, which is itself an antidote against the “evil eye”.
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.