{"product_id":"vintage-italian-18k-gold-bracelet-with-gem-set-figa-amulets-c-1950-1960","title":"Vintage Italian Figa Bracelet","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eA highly unusual mid-20th century Italian gold charm bracelet set with nine carved \u003cem\u003efiga\u003c\/em\u003e amulets, each executed in a different hardstone or gem. The bracelet is a fine example of Italian jewellery, combining deep-rooted protective symbolism with the exuberant collecting culture of the mid-century period.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription and Materials\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrafted in solid 18K gold (stamped \u003cem\u003e750 ITALY\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMakers mark \u003cem\u003e13VI\u003c\/em\u003e for Balestra Giovanni \u0026amp; Figli, jewellers of Via Maimonides, Vicenza (active 1935–1971).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal weight: 48.43g – unusually heavy for a bracelet of this type.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLength: 18.5cm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBracelet formed of substantial anchor links, complete with original safety chain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNine \u003cem\u003efiga\u003c\/em\u003e charms, each capped in 18K gold, carved from a variety of materials including: coral, carnelian, lapis lazuli, nephrite, rhodonite, agates and other hardstones. Each measures approx. 3.5 × 1cm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSymbolism of the \u003cem\u003eFiga\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e The \u003cem\u003efiga\u003c\/em\u003e (also known as \u003cem\u003emano figa\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003emano fico\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the oldest apotropaic symbols, first appearing in Etruscan Italy nearly 3,000 years ago. Depicting a clenched fist with the thumb protruding between the fingers, it has historically been worn to ward off the evil eye, invoke fertility, and channel protective power. In South America, where the motif was carried by Iberian colonists, it remains a common charm given to children to avert misfortune.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe gesture itself, sometimes bawdy, sometimes defensive, has carried many meanings across time and cultures, but in jewellery its apotropaic role is paramount. Italian jewellers of the 19th and 20th centuries revived the motif in coral and gold, particularly in southern regions such as Naples, before its wider adoption in jewellery during the early to mid-20th century.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance and Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e The presence of nine figas suggests this was a personal collection built over time, later mounted together on a heavy gold bracelet. Bracelets complete with so many gem-set amulets are rare.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ravensbury Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48894795710772,"sku":"1017810141","price":4416000.0,"currency_code":"KRW","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/6784\/5428\/files\/0G2A5743.jpg?v=1757958561","url":"https:\/\/ravensburyantiques.com\/ko-kr\/products\/vintage-italian-18k-gold-bracelet-with-gem-set-figa-amulets-c-1950-1960","provider":"Ravensbury Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}