Featured Art Product: Hamsa Plate & Serving Set
Featured Art Product: Hamsa Plate & Serving Set
I often close my weekly Artobiography newsletter by spotlighting art-inspired products that catch my eye. Typically, I include a paragraph or two to share my latest find, adding a link to help readers learn more.
But once in a while, I come across a backstory so compelling that I’m moved to dedicate an entire article to the product. The inspiring origin of the Hamsa Plate & Serving Set by Kamsah represents one such story.
About Kamsah
Kamsah offers high-quality, handmade serveware, kitchenware, dining accessories, and home décor. As a California-based company, Kamsah sources sustainable pieces showcasing the uniqueness, craftsmanship, and traditions of artisans too often overlooked in mass production. Kamsah's products radiate peace, authenticity, and a sense of global responsibility.
Kamsah was founded in 2015 by two brothers from Tunisia, Firas and Dhia Rabiai. They were two documentary filmmakers who wanted to promote Tunisia’s rich cultural heritage and support the country’s democratic transition in the wake of the 2011 Jasmin Revolution.
The Jasmine Revolution marked the spark of the Arab Spring movement. This peaceful uprising saw Tunisian citizens take to the streets to demand civil rights and democratic freedoms through civil resistance and nonviolent protests.
Hamsa Plate & Serving Set
You can immediately sense the care and craftsmanship that goes into each Kamsah product. Upon receiving the exquisitely packaged Hamsa Plate & Serving Set, I could see the effort invested at each stage of production from designing to making to shipping the product. The set was a special blend of sophistication typically reserved for products sold at large retailers with the authentic artisanal touch that made the item feel uniquely personal.
I also appreciated that Kamsah creates environmentally friendly products using organic, chemical-free materials.
The Hamsa is a meaningful symbol with an intriguing cross-cultural significance. It draws from a Middle Eastern heritage and has been a sign of protection and good fortune for almost three thousand years. It is believed to bring happiness, luck, health, and prosperity to its owner. The hamsa hand is associated with various meanings across different cultures and religions:
In Judaism, the hamsa symbolizes the Hand of God. It represents divine protection and is often referred to as the Hand of Miriam. The hamsa is believed to ward off the evil eye.
In Islam, the hamsa symbolizes the Hand of Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Mohammed. It serves as a protective talisman against negative energies.
The word "hamsa" means five, representing the five fingers on the hand. The hamsa is widely used in North Africa, the Middle East, and beyond as a universal symbol of protection and strength.
Building Connections
Beyond its aesthetic and financial value, I view art as a profound bridge connecting us to each other and the broader human experience. More than decoration, art fosters a sense of belonging and understanding, helping people feel part of something larger than themselves.
In a similar way, food brings people together. My friend, Farah Al Chammas, recognized this unifying potential and built a company called Okel to connect people over sharing meals.
Farah was born in Syria and initially learned history through an ideological lens, as is often the case in regions of conflict.
Like Farah building connections through food, Kamsah's Hamsa Plate & Serving Set beautifully blends cultural experiences and spreads a message of unity and understanding. In turbulent times, Kamsah gives me hope. Their products, with embedded ancient symbols of luck and harmony, act as small reminders that there is more connecting us than dividing us.