Frank Meisler 925 Sterling Silver Hamsa Pin Brooch Pendant Lapis Kabbalah Amulet

Description

Vintage 925 sterling silver hamsa hand with an eye of lapis lazuli by Frank Meisler, wearable as a pin or a pendant. “The hamsa (Arabic: خمسة, romanized: khamsa, Hebrew: חַמְסָה, romanized: ḥamsā) is a palm-shaped amulet popular throughout North Africa and in the Middle East and commonly used in jewelery and wall hangings.[1][2] Depicting the open right hand, an image recognized and used as a sign of protection in many times throughout history, the hamsa has been traditionally believed to provide defense against the evil eye.

Khamsah is an Arabic word that means ""five"", but also refers to images of ""the five fingers of the hand"". In Jewish culture, the hamsa is associated with the number five because of the five fingers depicted on the hand.

The Hamsa has also been known as the Hand of Fatima after the daughter of Muhammad, according to González-Wippler, although there has been no authentication about such usage in Muslim practice. The use of this name for Hamsa is an extrapolation from pre-Islamic use of Hamsa and possibly a completely wrong association of the symbol to venerated feminine characters of Islam as well as other faiths, involving the use of names such as Hand of Mary, the Hand of Miriam, and the Hand of the Goddess. “

Condition

Good Overall - Tarnish

Dimensions

1.625” x 0.25” x 2.5” / 13.1 g (Width x Depth x Height)