Antique Italian amethyst Mano Figa pendant with silver chain.

Antique Italian amethyst Mano Figa pendant with silver chain.

Italy early 1900s

Size amulet: 3 cm L

Size chain : 44 cm L

The pendant ar expertly mounted in silver settings that have been tested to be .925 silver. Notably, there are no visible stamps present on the silver mountings, indicating a handcrafted origin.

Mano Figa (aka Manofica, Mano Fica) — The mano figa (fig hand) dating back to ancient Etruscan Italy (at least). It is an obscene sexual gesture that is used to protect against — you guessed it— the evil eye!  Figa means “fig” in Italian, and figa is a slang term for female genitalia, due to the alleged resemblance to the fruit. In the upward direction, it is a gesture of defiance, similar to “up yours.” In the downward direction, the mano figa takes on a phallic property and becomes a representation of the all-powerful protective horn.  When using this gesture, say, “May the evil eye do no harm.”

You will sometimes see a closed hand or a fist described as a “mano figa” but it is technically not a figa unless the thumb is inserted between the index and middle finger.

There is one contemporary artist who makes the most magnificent, beautiful lampwork figas, and The House strongly encourages you to check out her work. The mano figa is also a common element of a Brazilian amulet called the penca de balangandan.