Vintage Brazilian Mano Figa / Figa Hand Talisman

A fascinating vintage Mano Figa / Figa hand talisman, traditionally associated with good luck, protection and warding off negative energy.

This is a beautifully carved wooden hand with decorative metal detailing.

Details

• Type: Mano Figa / Figa hand talisman
• Material: Carved wood with metal/silver-coloured detailing
• Approximate height: 12 cm
• Era: Believed to be vintage / mid-20th-century
• Origin: Believed to be Brazilian
• Mark: The underside has a distinctive anchor-shaped mark incorporating the number 900
• Condition: Vintage condition with signs of age and use, as shown in photographs

The 900/anchor-style mark has not been conclusively identified, so I am not attributing this piece to a particular maker or claiming that the metal is definitively 900 silver.

About the Figa

The Figa, also known as Mano Fico / Mano Figa, is a traditional protective hand symbol associated particularly with Brazil and Portuguese cultural traditions. Vintage carved figas are collected as folk-art and talismanic objects.

This is a particularly interesting example because of its carved wooden construction, decorative metal details and unusual 900/anchor-style mark.

Condition

Please note that this is a vintage/older item, not a newly manufactured reproduction.