Two Hamsas – Pendants with Depictions of Salamanders – Casablanca, Morocco

Two Hamsas – Pendants with Depictions of Salamanders – Casablanca, Morocco
Two hamsas, with depictions of salamanders. [Casablanca], Morocco, [early 20th century].
Silver (marked), cast and engraved; chased; silver and copper rivets; cast copper.
Two hamsas featuring vegetal patterns and, at center, cast ornaments in the form of salamanders.
The salamander – a fairly common motif in North African amulets – symbolized continuity, rebirth, and permanence. It was used in amulets associated with childbirth, as well as protection against fire. In the catalogue "Jewish Life in Morocco" (Hebrew edition, p. 30), it is noted that the salamander was regarded as a specifically Jewish symbol; a maxim based in Jewish legend states that "following seven years of raging fires, the salamander emerges."
One of the present hamsa-salamander amulets – the larger one, bearing a copper suspension ring – is marked on the back with the hallmark (in Arabic) of the city of Casablanca; the smaller one is marked on the back with a hallmark giving the year according to the Muslim calendar ([1]327 = 1909 CE).
13X8.5 cm; 9.5X5.5 cm. Good condition.
References: Jewish Magic through the Ages: Angels and Demons, pp. 110, 114; Jewish Life in Morocco, p. 130; Die Hand: Schutz und Schmuck in Nordafrika, pp. 18-20.