Lapis Lazuli 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 deep blue lapis lazuli, the pendant is on the larger size, with 18k gold hardware: a solid gold sleeve cap which has two slight cutaway indentations where the lapis meets the metal. This vintage pendant did previously have a break and repair at the wrist: it is secure and the repair is barely visible, nor easy to feel when touched. The pendant comes on a gold-filled paperclip chain which fastens with a lobster style clasp.

More details:

Pendant: 38.9mm long (excluding bail,) 10.3mm wide. Chain: 20” long.

Good condition

18k pendant with gold-filled chain (stamped)

6.3 grams

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