Further Media
Producers unknown to us
Hands of Fatima
Africa, Marocco
Beginning of the 20th century
Silver
Ümit Bir was gifted the hands by his parents in Frankfurt on December 1, 2003
SB 2072, SB 2075, SB 2086, SB 2099, SB 2111
Permanent loan of the Foundation Sammlung Dr. Bir
In many regions, the "Hand of Fatima" or Hamsa (Arabic خمسة for "five") is considered a symbol of protection against the evil eye, jinn and other negative influences. Fatima was the daughter of the Islamic prophet Mohammed. In addition to Islam, the hand symbol is attributed protective properties in both Judaism and Christianity, which is why the shape is widely used as part of jewellery or as a wall hanging.
Gynaecologist Ümit Bir (1929–2014) gathered most of his collection on several trips from Marocco to India from the 1960s to the 1990s. Unfortunately, we still do not know the exact circumstances of the acquisition of this object. Since 2004, the collection has been on permanent loan to the museum from the Dr. Bir Collection Foundation.
Jan König