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Georgian Coral Mano Cornuto "Sign of the Horns" Charm

Georgian Coral Mano Cornuto "Sign of the Horns" Charm

$1,500.00

Description

DATE: Georgian, c.1800

An exceptional Georgian mano cornuto (aka sign of the horns) charm dating from the turn of the 19th century, circa 1800. The hand itself is carved from orange coral, wonderfully detailed, wearing a turquoise-set gold bracelet around the wrist.

The mano cornuto (literally mano: hand, corno: horn) is an ancient Italian amulet used for magical protection against the dreaded Evil Eye. Not dissimilar to other hand gestures such as the hamsa, manu fica, etc, some archaeologists have theorised that the imitation of the sacred horned animal head - specifically the bull - derives from its coincidental resemblance to female genitals. When the gesture is directed towards someone pointed upwards, or swivelled back and forth, it takes on an offensive meaning - with Italian prime minister (and all round reprobate) Silvio Berlusconi famously photographed performing this version of the gesture behind the back of Spanish foreign minister Josep Piqué in 2002. Needless to say, the sign of the horns was adopted by heavy metal culture during the 1970s, allegedly inspired by Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath who was seen "raising the horns" in a 1969 photograph. 

STONES 

Coral & Turquoise

MEASUREMENTS 

21.7 x 6.8mm

WEIGHT 

0.7g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as 9k gold

CONDITION 

Excellent

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