Antique ROSEWOOD MANO FIGAS/19th Century Carved Solid Rosewood Fist Pendant with Sterling Silver Nails & Ring Finger with Ornate Cap/5"Long

Antique ROSEWOOD MANO FIGAS/19th Century Carved Solid Rosewood Fist Pendant with Sterling Silver Nails & Ring Finger with Ornate Cap/*FREE GIFT WRAP*
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The gesture of the thumb protruded between the pointer finger and middle finger has a variety of different meanings. Dating back nearly 8,000 years ago, in Central Asia, the term for it is rosehip, it is an obscene gesture not unlike the middle finger. It means sex in Japan, the number 5 to the Maasai, the letter ‘T’ in American Sign Language, and ‘got your nose’ to every 4-year-old I’ve ever encountered.

But the specific symbolism that gave rise to the charm that we refer to as a Mano Figa originates in Etruscan Italy. Mano means hand and Figa means fig, a slang term for female genitalia. The gesture is undeniably a reference to heterosexual sex. In ancient times it was worn as an incantation to The Goddess, a call for fertility, virility and good times (the fig also has close ties to Bacchus). They were traditionally made of silver or blood coral, sacred elements for Luna, the goddess of the moon and Venus, the goddess of the sea, respectively.

Through time and colonization, the symbol crossed the oceans with Christianity, and beginning in the early 17th century figas began to be produced in South America. Now they are commonly worn throughout Brazil and Peru as a symbol of protection against the evil eye. The obscenity of the gesture is said to distract Satan from his conquest for your soul. Because of the close ties to femininity and motherhood it is traditional in Brazil to tie a tiny black figa to a child’s wrist to ward off bad luck.

This piece is hands down (pun intended), because this Mano Figa is a much MUCH larger pendant than any other that is out there. A couple things that you will find differently than the rest of all the Mano Figas, is that It has a unique ornate sterling silver tension setting cap, and a Artdeco style sterling silver ring on the ring finger. Absolutely ONE-OF-A-KIND. A Mano Figas collectors top piece!!
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All measurements taken while fist lay flat:

~5" LENGTH

~1.5" WIDTH

~5" CIRCUMFERENCE

*Measurements are not precise and are rounded*


*This piece is embossed/signed on bottom of silver cap* (see photos)

*There are two jump rings at cap*

**PENDANT SOLD ALONE**


There are no cracks, scratches, chips, holes, or rust.

This piece is in EXCELLENT antique condition.
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* ADD A PERSONAL NOTE ON FREE GIFT WRAP CARD*

* Please send me your detailed personal message you'd like to see on the card with your order when checking out.
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