Large silver mounted figa amulet, Spain 17th century

A large silver mounted figa amulet.

Spanish, 17th century.

Measures 11.6cm long.

There is a historic break beside the silver mount.

Figa as protective amulets have been used since the ancient world, it was believed to protect from the evil eye and other dark and magical forces and to promote fertility. The figa would have been worn from a belt or from a chatelaine containing other protective talismans.

This carving would have served as a token representing a persons pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella, one of very few places in which jet can be found and mined since at least the Middle Ages.