Old Hand of Fatima – KHAMSA – HAMESH – Huge Rihanna Chain – Tunisia

Mid 20th century. Silver grams 111,8 (3.94 oz). The Hand is cm. 8,7 high x cm. 6,0 width (3.43″ x 2.36″). The chain is cm. 112,0 long (44.09”). Fine work.

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 amulet 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. There is good archaeological evidence to suggest that the protective use of HAMESH / KHAMSA predates both Judaism and Islam and that it refers to ancient Middle Eastern goddess whose hand wards off the evil eye.

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