Part of a silver necklace decorated with the 'hand of Fatimah', Palestine, 1800-1930

Made:
1880-1930 in Palestine
Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver link necklace section with small silver hand pendants suspended, represents the "hand of Fatimah to avert the evil eye, Palestine, 1880-1930

The ‘Hand of Fatimah’ (Fatima) is an ancient symbol traditionally carried by many Muslims as protection against the ‘evil eye’, a widespread belief that some people can cause harm to others simply by looking at them in a certain way. This ‘look’ may be given deliberately, in an attempt to cause harm, or accidentally, perhaps because of feelings of envy .

Fatimah was the daughter of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The hand is a common symbol in Islamic jewellery, art and decoration. It is also said to give the wearer strength, protect their family and ensure fertility.

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A167072
Materials:
silver
Measurements:
overall: 7 mm x 235 mm x 36 mm, .04 kg
type:
necklace
credit:
Wellcome Trust (Purchased from Stevens)