Minneapolis Institute of Art
Hamsa amulet
MoroccoLinkedCulture matchlcp-be4ceed35a4b
- Date
- c. 1920
- Medium
- Gold, diamonds, pearls
- Department
- European Art
- Institution
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Object ID
- 82020
From the Minneapolis Institute of Art record
The Hamsa (five) hand is a common motif in Jewish iconography but is not necessarily Jewish in origin. In fact, the open hand, often with an embedded eye, as a protective talisman against the Evil Eye dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. This example includes a bird with a gemstone eye. In Arab cultures the symbol is known as the Hand of Fatima, a reference to the Prophet Muhammad's daughter. The Hamsa symbol has spread in popularity as a good luck symbol for many cultures. Morocco, Africa
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Provenance & credit
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- Credit line
- Gift of funds from the Weiser Family Foundation
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