Maghreb Jewish Hamsa Amulet Plate with Pendant
Decorative Object / Judeao-Islamic Protective Amulet · Unattributed Artisan Workshop (Traditional Maghrebi or Middle Eastern Silversmithing Heritage)
Pattern: Traditional Folk Amulet; Hand of Fatima/Hand of Miriam Motif with Evil Eye and Floral Arabesque Engravings
Type
Decorative Object / Judeao-Islamic Protective Amulet
Maker
Unattributed Artisan Workshop (Traditional Maghrebi or Middle Eastern Silversmithing Heritage)
Material
Brass or Gilded Silver (Vermeil). The yellow hue suggests a high-copper alloy base, likely brass, or a heavy gilding over a low-grade silver or white metal base.
Dimensions
Estimated 25-30 cm in height and 18-22 cm in width. Projected weight: 400-600 grams depending on metal gauge.
Description
This is a large-format brass or gold-washed hanging amulet known as a Hamsa. It features a broad architectural silhouette representing the hand. The surface is densely decorated with traditional motifs including a central 'Hamsa within a Hamsa' pendant, radiating sunbursts, and a stylized eye at the top meant to offer protection to the home. It represents the intersection of Jewish and Islamic talismanic art common in Mediterranean cultures.
Key Features
Double hamsa design (plate + pendant), 'Evil Eye' protection symbol, dense floral engraving, and repoussé dome.
Material & Composition
Brass or Gilded Silver (Vermeil). The yellow hue suggests a high-copper alloy base, likely brass, or a heavy gilding over a low-grade silver or white metal base.
Finish & Decoration
Hand-engraved (chasing and etching), repoussé central boss, bright-cut floral and geometric arabesques, and a protective 'Evil Eye' motif at the apex. Islamic/Sephardic Jewish hybrid aesthetic.
Hallmarks & Stamps
None visible from the front; typical of North African/Middle Eastern folk-craft, marks would be minimal, perhaps a regional silver standard mark on the reverse if silver.
Construction Details
Sheet metal base, hand-cut silhouette, central raised boss (repoussé), with a secondary smaller Hamsa pendant attached via a soldered jump ring.
Functional Features
Hanging ring at the top for wall mounting; central convex boss serves as a visual focal point to deflect 'The Evil Eye'.
Handle & Grip Details
Top-mounted suspension ring, likely brass, threaded or crimped through the upper decorative peak.
Craftsmanship Details
Distinctive use of chasing (indenting metal) rather than engraving (removing metal). Visible hand-worked irregularities in the floral borders indicate traditional labor.
Authentication Indicators
The style of engraving is consistent with North African souk craftsmanship; symmetry and tool marks indicate hand-finishing rather than machine stamping.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely Morocco or Tunisia; traditional workshop manufacturing featuring hand-graving over pre-cut templates.
Era & Period
Modern Traditional (20th Century); influenced by late 19th-century Moroccan and Algerian silversmithing traditions.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950–1980. The crispness of the engraving and the industrial look of the hanging ring suggest it is a mid-to-late 20th-century piece.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of protection (Aponeurosis) against envy and misfortune; historically placed at the entrance of homes in the Maghreb and Levant regions.
Condition Notes
Very Good. Visible surface tarnish and oxidation (patina) consistent with age. Slight bend on the right 'thumb' of the hand; finish remains largely intact with minor scratches.
Value Estimate
$75.00 - $250.00 USD (Market price varies significantly based on metal content—brass vs. silver—and the specific artisan's reputation).
Care & Maintenance
If brass, use a mild metal polish; if gold-washed silver, avoid abrasives and use a soft jewelry cloth to prevent stripping the gold layer.
Similar Pieces
Moroccan Wedding Hamsas (often sterling silver with enamel), Tunisian 'Khamsa' plates (often plain or with fish motifs), Yemenite filigree amulets.
Interesting Facts
In Jewish tradition, the Hamsa is the 'Hand of Miriam'; in Islamic tradition, the 'Hand of Fatima'. It is one of the few symbols shared so deeply across these cultures for protective purposes.