Decorative mezuzah cover (“jeta del mezuzah”) from the home of Leah Atia. Morocco, probably Fez (Fes). Ca. 1920s (after 1925).

Silver, sawed, pierced, and engraved (marked with Moroccan mark, in use beginning 1925); green velvet fabric over cardboard underpinning.
Silver plaque serving as a mezuzah cover, in the form of a shield, slightly pinched in the middle, adorned with vegetal patterns. The word “Shaddai” is pierced in the upper part of the cover, and just below this, the name of the homeowner, Leah Atia. Suspension ring on top.

Elegant mezuzah covers were among the most important of sacred objects in Moroccan Jewish households, and unlike other sacred items, they were regarded as the property of the housewife, and thus often carried her name. The mezuzah covers were most often made in gold-thread embroidery over a bold-colored fabric. Covers like this one, made of silver superimposed over velvet fabric, were also fairly common. Most of the silver covers were apparently made in Fez; many silversmiths are known to have lived and worked in the “mellah” (historic Jewish quarter) of Fez, and the design of this particular object is typical of the characteristic style of Fez’s Jewish craftsmen. In addition to being a feature of mezuzah covers, this style of silver openwork can also typically be found on bags for tallitot and tefillin.
For a literature reference on this subject (in Hebrew, by Shalom Sabar), please refer to the Hebrew entry.

25X15.5 cm. Overall good condition. Minor blemishes to edges of silver plaque. Velvet fabric thoroughly worn. Numerous gluing repairs on verso, incl. several strips of adhesive tape.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.