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Essaouira Judaica Hamsa with The Star of David and the Hand of Protection 2
$ 485.00
- Essaouira Judaica Hamsa with Star of David and the Hand of Protection 2
- This particular style of Hamsa is from the town Essaouira. The Hamsa body appears to be cast 800 Silver (80% silver content) which was then hand finished and stamped with a pattern. The stamped Hamsa then received a Star of David, which was cast in 92.5 Sterling Silver, and soldered on to the 800 Silver base. On top of the Star of David is another 92.5 Sterling Silver Hand of Protection. These additions to the Hamsa base account for the discoloration surrounding the Star and Hand.
- The Star of David (✡), known in Hebrew as the Shield of David or Mogen David is a recognized symbol of modern Jewish Identity and Judaism. It's shape is that of a hexagram, the compound of two equilateral triangles. Like many potent symbols in Africa, the symbol generally represents the merging of the male and the female, and, the elements of fire and water. The Star of David also appears in the architecture of Mormon places of worship, where it symbolizes the Union of Heaven and Earth, with God reaching down to man and man reaching up to God.
- During the 19th century the symbol began to proliferate among the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe, ultimately being used among the Jewish communities in the Pale of Settlement. A significant motivating factor, according to scholar Gershom Sholem, was the desire to represent Jewish religion and/or identity in the same manner the Christian cross identified that religion's believers. The earliest Jewish usage of the symbol was inherited from medieval Arabic literature by Kabbalists for use in Talismanic Protective Amulets (segulot) where it was known as a Seal of Solomon. The symbol was also used in Christian churches as a decorative motif many centuries before its first known use in a Jewish synagogue.
- The symbol became representative of the worldwide Zionist community, and later the broader Jewish community, after it was chosen as the central symbol on a flag at the First Zionist Congress in 1897.
- The identification of the term "Star of David" or "Shield of David" with the hexagram shape dates to the 17th century.
- Materials: Cast and Pattern Stamped 800 Silver (80% silver content) Hamsa body with a 92.5 Sterling Silver Star of David Symbol soldered on to the base.
- Origin is Morocco circa 1950
- Size Approx. 3 1/2" x 2 5/8"