Carnelian and Gold Mano Figa Necklace

“Mano” means hand and “figa” means fig; this charm consists of a hand making a “fig sign,” a symbolic gesture layered in different meanings. Ancient Greeks employed the mano figa in their art and jewelry. Dante mentions the mano figa in his fourteenth century Divine Comedy and Francisco Goya depicted a mano figa in his 1798 painting “Witches Flight.” In some cultures this gesture is considered vulgar, while others interpret it as a talisman that wards off evil spirits and the evil eye as well as a symbol of fertility, feminine power and good luck. I’m a fan of the positive interpretations, and this is a gorgeous example of a mano figa. 

Carved from a piece of banded carnelian, the pendant is medium sized, with 14k gold hardware: a solid gold sleeve cap and a gold bracelet. The pendant comes on a gold-filled cable chain which fastens with a spring ring style clasp.

More details:

Pendant: 34.7mm long (including bail,) 6.6mm wide. Chain: 18” long.

Excellent condition

14k pendant and gold-filled chain (stamped)

Pendant weighs 1.3 grams

All purchases arrive in a gift box, wrapped with a ribbon.