Vintage khamsa pendant from Essaouira, Morocco - small
An old khamsa with scrolling pattern in the shape of a hand with cuff. Small with nice patina.
Date:
First half 20th century
Material:
Silver alloy
Dimensions:
3.6 cm (h) x 2.4 cm (w)
Weight:
5.1 g
Ref:
KHA-509
References:
Gharib, K. (2012). La Main au Maroc. Paris: Somogy.
Al-Jadir, S. (1996). Kunuz. Casablanca: LAK International, pp. 274-275.
The name khamsa or hamsa is the word for 'five' in Arabic. It is the shape of a hand that serves as an amulet bringing 'good luck' or baraka (blessings) to the wearer and warding off all harm. In Islam, it is also known as 'The Hand of Fatima' with reference to the prophet’s daughter. In Christianity, it is also known as 'The Hand of Mary', referring to the mother of Jesus. In Judaism, it is known as 'The Hand of Miriam’, referring to the sister of Moses and Aaron. Khamsa can be very elaborate or very plain and often differ in style and shape from one region to another. They can sometimes be found in a very stylised form which does not even resemble the shape of a hand but bears the same symbolism, usually including some reference to the number five.
