Hands of Fatima n. 17 – Berber – Tunisia

Early to mid 20th century. Silver. The biggest hand is gr. 14,9 (0.52 oz), cm. 7,3 x 4,9 (2.87” x 1.92″). The other hands are: gr. 3,2 (0.11 oz.), cm. 4,1 x 2,2 (1.61″ x 0.86″); gr. 2,2 (0.07 oz.), cm 3,8 x 2,1 (1.49″ x 0.82″). The KHAMSA hand (Arabic) or HAMESH hand (Hebrew) is and old and still popular apotropaic amulet for magical protection from the envious or evil eye. An alternative Islamic name for this charm is Hand of Fatima, in reference to the daughter of Mohammed. An alternative Jewish name is Hand of Miriam, in reference to the sister of Moses and Aaron. The words KHAMSA or HAMESH mean “five” and have a sacred value.  It is painted on the doors of houses as a symbol of good luck.Amulet in the etymological sense of the word, the hand is also a talisman of fertility. There is good archaeological evidence to suggest that the downward-pointing protective HAMESH / KHAMSA and predates both Judaism and Islam and that it refers to ancient Middle Eastern goddless whose hand wards off the evil eye.