The Hand of Fatima: The Khamsa in the Arab-Islamic World
- 219 p., ill.; 24 cm
- Handbook of Oriental studies. Section 1, The Near and Middle East, Vol. 170 0169-9423; .
Includes bibliographical references and index.
"The Hand of Fatima traces the development and symbolism ascribed to the hand motif in the Arab and Islamic world, and beyond. Richly illustrated, it details the many types of khamsas produced historically and today - such as khamsas with swords, and khamsas with eagles - and the many objects on which khamsas appear, such as on amulets and flags. It traces the journey of the khamsa into the contemporary world of social and fine art, including museum highlights. Special sections are dedicated to the khamsa in Algeria; cultural crossover in Spain, Portugal, and Brazil; and the symbol of the hand in Shi'ism"--