Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 61 - 72 of 112
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
1. Woman's cap. [Germany], 18th -19th century.
Linen, silk, sequins and glass decorations, miniature leaves, gold casted.
An elegant cap, worn on the back of the head. The cap consists of two parts sewn together and embroidered symmetrically. On the rim of the hat, on yellow paper, golden fans are embroidered in gold threads. A floral pattern covers the hat, with a Star of David in the center. In the center of the Star of David is a blue painted glass and within each of the small triangles – round red glass. The flowers are composed of golden spirals, various kinds of gold threads, tiny beads, gold-like and silver-like sequins and gold-cast leaves. A golden ribbon on the rim of the cap. The cap consists of a linen lining, inner paper and a ribbon on the rim. The cap is in good condition which means it was only seldom in use.
23.5X18 cm. Good condition, old mending and several loose threads.
2. Woman's cap. [Germany/Poland]. Turn of the 19-20th century.
Different kinds of fabrics: silk, synthetic fabric, lining made of printed cotton fabric. Different kinds of threads: wound silk thread and gold and silver-like threads.
A cap to be worn on the back of the head, in the front - a pattern of a fan embroidered on yellow fabric. In addition, a floral pattern made of green and red glass-stones, gold threads, silver threads and sequins. On the rear part – three stylized flowers in a row and one flower below. On the back part – a heightened cleft and in front a yellow ribbon for tying the hat.
Height: 14.5 cm, width: 8 cm. Fair-good condition, loose silver threads on the back.
See a similar item in: Shimmering Gold, The Splendor of Gold Embroidered Textiles. Eretz Israel Museum, Tel-Aviv, 2007. P. 159.
Enclosed: A certificate confirming that the caps were in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Linen, silk, sequins and glass decorations, miniature leaves, gold casted.
An elegant cap, worn on the back of the head. The cap consists of two parts sewn together and embroidered symmetrically. On the rim of the hat, on yellow paper, golden fans are embroidered in gold threads. A floral pattern covers the hat, with a Star of David in the center. In the center of the Star of David is a blue painted glass and within each of the small triangles – round red glass. The flowers are composed of golden spirals, various kinds of gold threads, tiny beads, gold-like and silver-like sequins and gold-cast leaves. A golden ribbon on the rim of the cap. The cap consists of a linen lining, inner paper and a ribbon on the rim. The cap is in good condition which means it was only seldom in use.
23.5X18 cm. Good condition, old mending and several loose threads.
2. Woman's cap. [Germany/Poland]. Turn of the 19-20th century.
Different kinds of fabrics: silk, synthetic fabric, lining made of printed cotton fabric. Different kinds of threads: wound silk thread and gold and silver-like threads.
A cap to be worn on the back of the head, in the front - a pattern of a fan embroidered on yellow fabric. In addition, a floral pattern made of green and red glass-stones, gold threads, silver threads and sequins. On the rear part – three stylized flowers in a row and one flower below. On the back part – a heightened cleft and in front a yellow ribbon for tying the hat.
Height: 14.5 cm, width: 8 cm. Fair-good condition, loose silver threads on the back.
See a similar item in: Shimmering Gold, The Splendor of Gold Embroidered Textiles. Eretz Israel Museum, Tel-Aviv, 2007. P. 159.
Enclosed: A certificate confirming that the caps were in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $21,250
Including buyer's premium
Embroidered Chuppah. Rechnitz congregation, Hungary (present day Austria), 1865.
Silk brocade; golden thread.
Chuppah made of purple brocade, embroidered with golden threads. In the center (the part above the couple's heads during the ceremony) an embroidered Hebrew inscription: MZ"T [Mazal Tov] in mirror writing (for an unknown reason). A round floral frame is embroidered in the shades of gold, silver and green with silver-colored sequins. The Chuppah has four corners embroidered (outwards) with a golden thread. On each corner appears a decoration or inscription: five stars, "see a life with a woman you love" (Ecclesiastes 9,9), "G-d testified between you and your wife" (Malachi, 2, 14), "donation of righteous women of Rechnitz in 1865”.
Holes in the four corners for holding the Chuppah rods; the holes are fastened with leather squares. The Chuppah has a red linen lining turning upwards. A serial number 9094i appears on the lining. The source of this number is unknown (according to the owner's report, this serial number was added in Germany during the holocaust).
Rechnitz congregation was affiliated to the orthodox "Seven Congregations" in Austria and was on the border between Austria and Hungary.
190X132 cm. Good condition, one leather corner replaced with a leather-like corner, the corners were mended several times, ink stains and sticky stains on the lining. Minor holes and some unraveled threads. The edges are detached from the Chuppah in several spots.
Silk brocade; golden thread.
Chuppah made of purple brocade, embroidered with golden threads. In the center (the part above the couple's heads during the ceremony) an embroidered Hebrew inscription: MZ"T [Mazal Tov] in mirror writing (for an unknown reason). A round floral frame is embroidered in the shades of gold, silver and green with silver-colored sequins. The Chuppah has four corners embroidered (outwards) with a golden thread. On each corner appears a decoration or inscription: five stars, "see a life with a woman you love" (Ecclesiastes 9,9), "G-d testified between you and your wife" (Malachi, 2, 14), "donation of righteous women of Rechnitz in 1865”.
Holes in the four corners for holding the Chuppah rods; the holes are fastened with leather squares. The Chuppah has a red linen lining turning upwards. A serial number 9094i appears on the lining. The source of this number is unknown (according to the owner's report, this serial number was added in Germany during the holocaust).
Rechnitz congregation was affiliated to the orthodox "Seven Congregations" in Austria and was on the border between Austria and Hungary.
190X132 cm. Good condition, one leather corner replaced with a leather-like corner, the corners were mended several times, ink stains and sticky stains on the lining. Minor holes and some unraveled threads. The edges are detached from the Chuppah in several spots.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
An embroidered Sabbath tablecloth. Jerusalem, 1909.
[Linen] and pure wool threads.
A Sabbath tablecloth embroidered with images of the holy sites and the Western Wall; belongs to a group of tablecloths created in Jerusalem in the 19th century (with minor changes). In the central panel, within a circular frame embroidered in bright colors, the artist featured schematically the Western Wall with "Midrash Shlomo" and the Temple on both its sides. The image is accompanied by inscriptions: "Midrash Shlomo", "Mekom HaMikdash" and "Kotel Ma'aravi". Surrounding the central image, appear the inscriptions: "Hagai HaNavi", "Avner Ben Ner", "R' Meir B"H", "Kalba Savu'a", "Shmuel Han", “Yoav ben Tzuria", "Yad Avshalom", "Zecharya HaNavi" and "Mea'arat HaMachpela". A stylized lion chained to a tree, is embroidered between the graves and above it the inscription "Rav Ha-Ari" – symbolizing the grave of the Holy Ari. In the outer four corners are featured four additional graves of holy figures and the "Shalom Aleichem" liturgy is embroidered on the borders. Lace edging is sewn to the tablecloth.
It is believed that this tablecloth is one of a group of tablecloths designed in Jerusalem, in the Old City, by Simche Janiwer (1846-1910). Janiwer was a cantor and an artist creating ceremonial objects. He was famous in Jerusalem for the pair of lions sculpture positioned on the "Machne Yehuda" police station building. The scheme which Janiwer uses, appearing on objects created by other artists as well, is related to images of pilgrimage which explains the appearance of graves and the holy sites. In 1967, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, recorded a testimony from one of Janiwer’s customers about his work:
"Mrs. Tzvia Zilberstein, born in the Old City, daughter of Abraham Rokeach, at the age of eighty, says that
Simche Janiwer [helped] all women in the Old City who wanted to embroider, and he painted the design in it (sic) according to her request… and every woman bought threads in the ‘German shop’. [She] remembers that her mother bought good Russian linen and delivered it to Simche Janiwer, but it was too small to cover matsah, and it was hard for her mother to follow his pattern. [She] also remembers that her neighbor, an Oriental, embroidered on a frame and held [the] threads down with a knitting needle. Simche Janiwer was an artist [who] painted free hand for embroidery, and worked it over with small dots to guide [the] stiches. Every bride had her tephillin bag designed by him to be embroidered for the groom; he also painted white and transparent aprons for married women to wear on going to Synagogue. When canvas embroidery came in, he designed [a] kotel ma’aravi (Western Wall) and girls filled it in and hung it as [a] picture in the home… cloths were made for shluchim such as Hatam Sofer of Pressburg to raise money.”
From:”A Group of Embroidered Cloths from Jerusalem”, by Richard Barnett. In: Journal of Jewish Art, vol. 2 pp. 28-39.
124X116 cm. Fair condition, large wine stains mainly on the upper part of the tablecloth. Black and brown colors which originally were not water proof were transferred to the tablecloth after washing. Several holes to lace borders and some unraveled spots. The tablecloth consists of two parts sewn together, with no mending.
For detailed list of tablecloths of this type and for bibliography see:
Sotheby’s catalog: A treasured Legacy: The Michael and Judy Steinhardt Judaica Collection. NY, 2013. Item no. 302, page 456.
[Linen] and pure wool threads.
A Sabbath tablecloth embroidered with images of the holy sites and the Western Wall; belongs to a group of tablecloths created in Jerusalem in the 19th century (with minor changes). In the central panel, within a circular frame embroidered in bright colors, the artist featured schematically the Western Wall with "Midrash Shlomo" and the Temple on both its sides. The image is accompanied by inscriptions: "Midrash Shlomo", "Mekom HaMikdash" and "Kotel Ma'aravi". Surrounding the central image, appear the inscriptions: "Hagai HaNavi", "Avner Ben Ner", "R' Meir B"H", "Kalba Savu'a", "Shmuel Han", “Yoav ben Tzuria", "Yad Avshalom", "Zecharya HaNavi" and "Mea'arat HaMachpela". A stylized lion chained to a tree, is embroidered between the graves and above it the inscription "Rav Ha-Ari" – symbolizing the grave of the Holy Ari. In the outer four corners are featured four additional graves of holy figures and the "Shalom Aleichem" liturgy is embroidered on the borders. Lace edging is sewn to the tablecloth.
It is believed that this tablecloth is one of a group of tablecloths designed in Jerusalem, in the Old City, by Simche Janiwer (1846-1910). Janiwer was a cantor and an artist creating ceremonial objects. He was famous in Jerusalem for the pair of lions sculpture positioned on the "Machne Yehuda" police station building. The scheme which Janiwer uses, appearing on objects created by other artists as well, is related to images of pilgrimage which explains the appearance of graves and the holy sites. In 1967, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, recorded a testimony from one of Janiwer’s customers about his work:
"Mrs. Tzvia Zilberstein, born in the Old City, daughter of Abraham Rokeach, at the age of eighty, says that
Simche Janiwer [helped] all women in the Old City who wanted to embroider, and he painted the design in it (sic) according to her request… and every woman bought threads in the ‘German shop’. [She] remembers that her mother bought good Russian linen and delivered it to Simche Janiwer, but it was too small to cover matsah, and it was hard for her mother to follow his pattern. [She] also remembers that her neighbor, an Oriental, embroidered on a frame and held [the] threads down with a knitting needle. Simche Janiwer was an artist [who] painted free hand for embroidery, and worked it over with small dots to guide [the] stiches. Every bride had her tephillin bag designed by him to be embroidered for the groom; he also painted white and transparent aprons for married women to wear on going to Synagogue. When canvas embroidery came in, he designed [a] kotel ma’aravi (Western Wall) and girls filled it in and hung it as [a] picture in the home… cloths were made for shluchim such as Hatam Sofer of Pressburg to raise money.”
From:”A Group of Embroidered Cloths from Jerusalem”, by Richard Barnett. In: Journal of Jewish Art, vol. 2 pp. 28-39.
124X116 cm. Fair condition, large wine stains mainly on the upper part of the tablecloth. Black and brown colors which originally were not water proof were transferred to the tablecloth after washing. Several holes to lace borders and some unraveled spots. The tablecloth consists of two parts sewn together, with no mending.
For detailed list of tablecloths of this type and for bibliography see:
Sotheby’s catalog: A treasured Legacy: The Michael and Judy Steinhardt Judaica Collection. NY, 2013. Item no. 302, page 456.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $3,500
Unsold
Six embroidered cloth items. Unknown manufacturer (India? England?) [second half of the 20th century].
1. An embroidered tablecloth with an inscription. Silk and synthetic cloth with silk strings. A pink tablecloth with threads at its edges. At the center of the cloth an inscription is embroidered with gray string, addressed to husband and wife, dedicated for festive celebrations (for the full inscription please see the Hebrew description). The inscription is surrounded by an embroidered frame of the colors gray, green and pink, shaped as a ribbon with vegetal ornamentations. 75x75 cm. fair-good condition, a number of tears within the folding mark at the center, small holes around the edges, moisture marks. Set in a frame.
2. Challah cover for Rosh Ha'shana. Silk embroidery on silk. In the middle of the inscription the following inscription is embroidered with red string: "A good and blessed year sweet as honey"[Hebrew], and around it some flowers are embroidered. Fringes around the edges. 65x54 cm. Good condition, yellow stains on the embroidery and the fringess, a few holes at the lining. Worn-out lining. Set in a frame.
3. Embroidered tablecloth for Rosh Ha'Shana. Silk string on silk. A pink Tablecloth with threads around the edges. An image of four baskets with flowers and a ribbon. At the center, the following inscription is embroidered with gray string: "Leshanat Tovat". 73x73 cm. Good condition, the cloth is somewhat worn out, small tears within the folding marks, spotting. Set in a frame.
4. Embroidered cloth for Rosh Ha'Shana. Velvet and silk strings. At the center "Shana Tova" in light-blue and pink. Around it a frame with geometric forms in light-
blue, pink, and yellow. 52x54 cm, good condition. Small stains, some holes and worn-out cloth. Set within a frame.
5. Matzah cover/ Passover decoration. Gray silk embroidery on blue cloth. At the center a Star of David and around it, in a circular form, the following blessing is embroidered “Al Achilat Matza” [on the eating of the Matzah]. Around the edges a vegetal embroidery. 64x63 cm. Good condition, few holes and worn-out cloth. Set in a frame.
6. Challah cover for Rosh Ha’Shana, adorned with inscriptions and vegetal decoration. At the center an embroidered Star of David (combining a yellow triangular set on top of a blue one), and at the center of the Star: the letters “D” and “E”. Around the star with blue embroidery appears the inscription: “May you be written for a good year and live to see many years amen” [Hebrew]. At the corners appear the following Hebrew words: “Tachel”, “Shana”, “U’birko”, “Teiah” (the word “U’birkoteiah”- English: “and its blessing” - is split in two to fit two corners). At the bottom the blessing of “Hamotzi” is embroidered. 48x68 cm. Good condition, few spots. Set in a frame.
According to the owners, the cloths come originally from the famous Sasson family, and it is possible that they were manufactured in one of the family’s textile factories in India or England.
1. An embroidered tablecloth with an inscription. Silk and synthetic cloth with silk strings. A pink tablecloth with threads at its edges. At the center of the cloth an inscription is embroidered with gray string, addressed to husband and wife, dedicated for festive celebrations (for the full inscription please see the Hebrew description). The inscription is surrounded by an embroidered frame of the colors gray, green and pink, shaped as a ribbon with vegetal ornamentations. 75x75 cm. fair-good condition, a number of tears within the folding mark at the center, small holes around the edges, moisture marks. Set in a frame.
2. Challah cover for Rosh Ha'shana. Silk embroidery on silk. In the middle of the inscription the following inscription is embroidered with red string: "A good and blessed year sweet as honey"[Hebrew], and around it some flowers are embroidered. Fringes around the edges. 65x54 cm. Good condition, yellow stains on the embroidery and the fringess, a few holes at the lining. Worn-out lining. Set in a frame.
3. Embroidered tablecloth for Rosh Ha'Shana. Silk string on silk. A pink Tablecloth with threads around the edges. An image of four baskets with flowers and a ribbon. At the center, the following inscription is embroidered with gray string: "Leshanat Tovat". 73x73 cm. Good condition, the cloth is somewhat worn out, small tears within the folding marks, spotting. Set in a frame.
4. Embroidered cloth for Rosh Ha'Shana. Velvet and silk strings. At the center "Shana Tova" in light-blue and pink. Around it a frame with geometric forms in light-
blue, pink, and yellow. 52x54 cm, good condition. Small stains, some holes and worn-out cloth. Set within a frame.
5. Matzah cover/ Passover decoration. Gray silk embroidery on blue cloth. At the center a Star of David and around it, in a circular form, the following blessing is embroidered “Al Achilat Matza” [on the eating of the Matzah]. Around the edges a vegetal embroidery. 64x63 cm. Good condition, few holes and worn-out cloth. Set in a frame.
6. Challah cover for Rosh Ha’Shana, adorned with inscriptions and vegetal decoration. At the center an embroidered Star of David (combining a yellow triangular set on top of a blue one), and at the center of the Star: the letters “D” and “E”. Around the star with blue embroidery appears the inscription: “May you be written for a good year and live to see many years amen” [Hebrew]. At the corners appear the following Hebrew words: “Tachel”, “Shana”, “U’birko”, “Teiah” (the word “U’birkoteiah”- English: “and its blessing” - is split in two to fit two corners). At the bottom the blessing of “Hamotzi” is embroidered. 48x68 cm. Good condition, few spots. Set in a frame.
According to the owners, the cloths come originally from the famous Sasson family, and it is possible that they were manufactured in one of the family’s textile factories in India or England.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $6,000
Sold for: $11,875
Including buyer's premium
Torah scroll in its original case, with Torah finials and a pointer. [Iraq-India, beginning of the 20th century]. Inscriptions of dedications from 1906.
Parchment; wooden case; covered with green velvet fabric; various silver ornaments; beads; silver finials and pointer.
The dedication inscription portrays that this Torah scroll and its case originates for the Magen David synagogue of the Baghdad immigrant community in Bombay, India.
• Torah scroll. Soft brown parchment. Handsome Sephardi writing. Height of parchment: 45 cm. 51 lines per column (varies). One sheet was replaced. Spotting and wear. Partially detached sheets.
• Velvet-covered wooden case. On the inner side are two large silver plates (22.5X25.5 cm). Impressed into one is the verse "This is the Torah…", "These are the testaments, laws and statutes…", and on the other an inscription of a dedication: "This case and the Torah scroll inside belong to the elder Simcha wife of Aharon Shlomo Yechezkel David who died on the 13th of Shevat 1906".
On the exterior are two silver belts with floral adornments and two belts with dedication inscriptions. On the upper belt is a dedication identical to the one inscribed inside the case. On the lower belt is a dedication: "Dedicated to the Magen David synagogue in order that no one will be permitted to move it any place, far and near". Between the belts and on the upper part of the case are repoussé silver plates with floral decoration. The crown-like upper strip is decorated with light blue beads.
At the top of the case is a silver adornment in the shape of a flower bud flanked by a pair of original finials in Iraqi-Indian style decorated with handsome etchings in floral patterns. Two silver clasps, and the original pointer hanging from them.
Height of case: 92 cm. Tears and damages to velvet covering. Missing beads. Loose and bent silver belts. Finials: 19 cm, several chains and adornments missing, one finial is misshapen; pointer: 33.5 cm.
Parchment; wooden case; covered with green velvet fabric; various silver ornaments; beads; silver finials and pointer.
The dedication inscription portrays that this Torah scroll and its case originates for the Magen David synagogue of the Baghdad immigrant community in Bombay, India.
• Torah scroll. Soft brown parchment. Handsome Sephardi writing. Height of parchment: 45 cm. 51 lines per column (varies). One sheet was replaced. Spotting and wear. Partially detached sheets.
• Velvet-covered wooden case. On the inner side are two large silver plates (22.5X25.5 cm). Impressed into one is the verse "This is the Torah…", "These are the testaments, laws and statutes…", and on the other an inscription of a dedication: "This case and the Torah scroll inside belong to the elder Simcha wife of Aharon Shlomo Yechezkel David who died on the 13th of Shevat 1906".
On the exterior are two silver belts with floral adornments and two belts with dedication inscriptions. On the upper belt is a dedication identical to the one inscribed inside the case. On the lower belt is a dedication: "Dedicated to the Magen David synagogue in order that no one will be permitted to move it any place, far and near". Between the belts and on the upper part of the case are repoussé silver plates with floral decoration. The crown-like upper strip is decorated with light blue beads.
At the top of the case is a silver adornment in the shape of a flower bud flanked by a pair of original finials in Iraqi-Indian style decorated with handsome etchings in floral patterns. Two silver clasps, and the original pointer hanging from them.
Height of case: 92 cm. Tears and damages to velvet covering. Missing beads. Loose and bent silver belts. Finials: 19 cm, several chains and adornments missing, one finial is misshapen; pointer: 33.5 cm.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $12,500
Including buyer's premium
A pair of Torah finials (Rimonim) – France [after 1838].
Silver (marked with a crab hallmark, maker's signature: C:M), pierced and engraved; Golden residue; colorful glass gems; white sapphires.
Impressive massive Torah finials. The body of the finials is made of five facets with a recurrent ornament on each side: an upside-down flower (the leaves and stalk are above the flower), a blue rectangular glass gem on the upper part and a red rectangular glass gem is set at the bottom part. On the sides are two rows of white sapphires. On the base, under each side – a flower and at the bottom a row of white sapphires with an ornament of dentate leaves. On the top of the finials stands a knob and under it a crown of leaves, standing on a level decorated with vegetal ornamentation and a ring. All are standing on a round leg. Five chains are hanging down from the meeting-point of the different sides (one of the finials is missing one chain, and the other finial is missing four chains). At their tips – bells are situated. The chains are also marked with silver hallmarks.
Height: 36.5 cm. Good condition. One finial is missing four chains with bells, one hook still exists together with a single red rectangular glass gem. Some corrosion. Leg slightly damaged. Two leaves are missing in the crown. Some white sapphires are missing too. The second finial is missing one chain with a bell and a hook, along with some additional white sapphires.
Silver (marked with a crab hallmark, maker's signature: C:M), pierced and engraved; Golden residue; colorful glass gems; white sapphires.
Impressive massive Torah finials. The body of the finials is made of five facets with a recurrent ornament on each side: an upside-down flower (the leaves and stalk are above the flower), a blue rectangular glass gem on the upper part and a red rectangular glass gem is set at the bottom part. On the sides are two rows of white sapphires. On the base, under each side – a flower and at the bottom a row of white sapphires with an ornament of dentate leaves. On the top of the finials stands a knob and under it a crown of leaves, standing on a level decorated with vegetal ornamentation and a ring. All are standing on a round leg. Five chains are hanging down from the meeting-point of the different sides (one of the finials is missing one chain, and the other finial is missing four chains). At their tips – bells are situated. The chains are also marked with silver hallmarks.
Height: 36.5 cm. Good condition. One finial is missing four chains with bells, one hook still exists together with a single red rectangular glass gem. Some corrosion. Leg slightly damaged. Two leaves are missing in the crown. Some white sapphires are missing too. The second finial is missing one chain with a bell and a hook, along with some additional white sapphires.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $27,500
Including buyer's premium
Spice tower – Central Europe [Silesia, end of the 18th century]
Silver (marked), sawed, pierced and carved.
A two-storey rectangular tower, based on a squared-base leg. On the top of the tower stands a curled spire with a knob and a flag. On the base a hammered pattern decorated with rocailles. The sides of the first storey are decorated with a pierced decoration of a gate with a seashell at its center (in two sides of the tower screws were used, with no option of opening the tower). The top storey is designed as a façade of a church, with a rosetta decoration and six long windows.
Height: 27.5 cm. Good condition. Later replaced flag. A wrinkle on the flag. Spotting. Corrosion.
Silver (marked), sawed, pierced and carved.
A two-storey rectangular tower, based on a squared-base leg. On the top of the tower stands a curled spire with a knob and a flag. On the base a hammered pattern decorated with rocailles. The sides of the first storey are decorated with a pierced decoration of a gate with a seashell at its center (in two sides of the tower screws were used, with no option of opening the tower). The top storey is designed as a façade of a church, with a rosetta decoration and six long windows.
Height: 27.5 cm. Good condition. Later replaced flag. A wrinkle on the flag. Spotting. Corrosion.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $1,500
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Dreidel, created by Moshe Murro. "Bezalel", Jerusalem, [1929].
Carved ivory. Signed: "Bezalel Jerusalem" [Hebrew and English].
One of the four letters appears on each of the dreidel's panels – N.G.H.S. [Hebrew: Ness Gadol Haya Sham] Next to the letters – decorations and images related to Hanukkah: an oil pitcher, Menorah, "Judaea Capta" and "Liberated Judea".
The image of "Judaea Capta" was based on the commemorative coins minted by the Romans following the capture of Judea after the Jewish Revolt – a kneeling woman symbolizing the defeated people and a Roman soldier; between them a palm tree. The image of "Liberated Judea" reverses the same image – the soldier is seen protecting himself from the woman. On the upper part of the dreidel an embossed inscription "Ness Gadol Haya Sham" (which indicates that the dreidel was made for export). Leaves and flowers decorate the lower part.
Height: 6.5 cm. Width: 3 cm. Contained in a fine box made of olive wood.
The well-known "Bezalel" dreidels, cast in brass, were cast based on this design. See: "Bezalel by Schatz, exhibition catalogue, Jerusalem, 1983, item no. 995.
Carved ivory. Signed: "Bezalel Jerusalem" [Hebrew and English].
One of the four letters appears on each of the dreidel's panels – N.G.H.S. [Hebrew: Ness Gadol Haya Sham] Next to the letters – decorations and images related to Hanukkah: an oil pitcher, Menorah, "Judaea Capta" and "Liberated Judea".
The image of "Judaea Capta" was based on the commemorative coins minted by the Romans following the capture of Judea after the Jewish Revolt – a kneeling woman symbolizing the defeated people and a Roman soldier; between them a palm tree. The image of "Liberated Judea" reverses the same image – the soldier is seen protecting himself from the woman. On the upper part of the dreidel an embossed inscription "Ness Gadol Haya Sham" (which indicates that the dreidel was made for export). Leaves and flowers decorate the lower part.
Height: 6.5 cm. Width: 3 cm. Contained in a fine box made of olive wood.
The well-known "Bezalel" dreidels, cast in brass, were cast based on this design. See: "Bezalel by Schatz, exhibition catalogue, Jerusalem, 1983, item no. 995.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Gold ring, set with a stone with an engraving of the Western Wall and the inscription "Yerushalem" [Hebrew]. Early 20th century.
Gold (marked, English marks); engraved carnelian.
Gold ring, set with a carnelian with a golden engraving. Oval stone, engraved with a typical drawing of the Western Wall with three Cyprus trees, the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosques. Inscribed: "Yerushalem" [Hebrew].
Rings set with carnelian are known from ancient Egypt. Beginning at the Middle Ages the stone served as an amulet with healing properties.
Stone: 1.5X2 cm. Good condition, flaking on the surface of the stone.
Gold (marked, English marks); engraved carnelian.
Gold ring, set with a carnelian with a golden engraving. Oval stone, engraved with a typical drawing of the Western Wall with three Cyprus trees, the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosques. Inscribed: "Yerushalem" [Hebrew].
Rings set with carnelian are known from ancient Egypt. Beginning at the Middle Ages the stone served as an amulet with healing properties.
Stone: 1.5X2 cm. Good condition, flaking on the surface of the stone.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $12,000
Unsold
"Sabbath", statuette by Joseph Mendes Da-Costa. Holland, ca. 1900.
Grès ceramic, glazed. Signed with initials.
A statuette in the shape of a woman with closed eyes wearing a dress with a floral pattern, a blue apron and a scarf on her head. Da-Costa emphasizes in his work the various textures of textiles through different kinds of glazing, various colors and engraved patterns.
This statuette belongs to a group of statuettes created by Da-Costa around the year 1900. During this period, influenced by Japanese art, Da-Costa was interested in daily topics and depicted the figures that surrounded him in his neighborhood – the Jewish quarter in Amsterdam. The titles of the statuettes in Yiddish and in Dutch prove his attempt to create under the inspiration of his immediate surroundings: "Pupils", "Sweethearts", "Sabbath" etc.
Joseph Mendes Da-Costa (1863-1939), sculptor and designer from Amsterdam, whose family was a descendant of the Portuguese Jews; lived in the Jewish quarter. Da-Costa was known for the animal statuettes which he created through the second half of the 19th century. He studied in different art schools and in the Rijksschool voor Kunstnijverheid (school of applied arts) in the Rijksmuseum. Like other artists of his generation, Da-Costa was exposed to Egyptian and Assyrian art which is well reflected in his artistic style. Da-Costa was a prominent artist in Holland but was not well known outside of it. After WW II, only a few of his works remained, and they are kept in museum collections.
Height: 21.5 cm. Good condition.
Grès ceramic, glazed. Signed with initials.
A statuette in the shape of a woman with closed eyes wearing a dress with a floral pattern, a blue apron and a scarf on her head. Da-Costa emphasizes in his work the various textures of textiles through different kinds of glazing, various colors and engraved patterns.
This statuette belongs to a group of statuettes created by Da-Costa around the year 1900. During this period, influenced by Japanese art, Da-Costa was interested in daily topics and depicted the figures that surrounded him in his neighborhood – the Jewish quarter in Amsterdam. The titles of the statuettes in Yiddish and in Dutch prove his attempt to create under the inspiration of his immediate surroundings: "Pupils", "Sweethearts", "Sabbath" etc.
Joseph Mendes Da-Costa (1863-1939), sculptor and designer from Amsterdam, whose family was a descendant of the Portuguese Jews; lived in the Jewish quarter. Da-Costa was known for the animal statuettes which he created through the second half of the 19th century. He studied in different art schools and in the Rijksschool voor Kunstnijverheid (school of applied arts) in the Rijksmuseum. Like other artists of his generation, Da-Costa was exposed to Egyptian and Assyrian art which is well reflected in his artistic style. Da-Costa was a prominent artist in Holland but was not well known outside of it. After WW II, only a few of his works remained, and they are kept in museum collections.
Height: 21.5 cm. Good condition.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $18,000
Unsold
"Abraham", statuette by Joseph Mendes Da-Costa. Holland, 1907.
Grès ceramic, glazed. Titled, dated and signed in monogram.
Around the year 1907 Da-Costa created a series of biblical figures in an expressive style. The figures of Abraham and Isaac in the "Abraham" statuette are depicted in a dramatic manner in grisaille shades. Abraham stands defeated, holding a sword in his down-turned hand; with his other hand he covers Isaac's face. Isaac is naked with his head bent forward, leaning on Abraham, and his hands in a mercy- pleading gesture. For additional information about the sculptor Joseph Mendes Da-Costa see previous item.
Height: 24.5 cm. Good condition.
Grès ceramic, glazed. Titled, dated and signed in monogram.
Around the year 1907 Da-Costa created a series of biblical figures in an expressive style. The figures of Abraham and Isaac in the "Abraham" statuette are depicted in a dramatic manner in grisaille shades. Abraham stands defeated, holding a sword in his down-turned hand; with his other hand he covers Isaac's face. Isaac is naked with his head bent forward, leaning on Abraham, and his hands in a mercy- pleading gesture. For additional information about the sculptor Joseph Mendes Da-Costa see previous item.
Height: 24.5 cm. Good condition.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 42 - Rare and Important Items
November 25, 2014
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Shlomo Yudovin, oil painting on canvas. Russia (?), 1924.
In the center of this painting, in grisaille technique (shades of grey), a three-legged Menorah decorated with flowers and heraldic deer. In the background a wooden grille with spiral pillars. This theme is known from images on grave stones and from Russian or East European papercuts.
On the reverse-inner side of the painted canvas appears a handwritten word in Hebrew – not clear – "קבלה" or "קכלח" and twice the letter "ה". In addition, an inscription in Russian, "copy of a wall painting in a museum in Berlin January 25, 1923”.
The artist Shlomo Yudovin (1892-1954), specialized in graphic design and photography and was known for the Jewish folkloristic motifs integrated into his art. Yudovin was the photographer and illustrator of the ethnographic expedition of S. An-Sky between 1912-1914. In 1920 was appointed as curator of the "Leningrad Museum of Jewish Art" collections. At the same year he published in Yiddish his book "Jewish Folk Ornament".
30X48 cm. Good condition. Framed.
In the center of this painting, in grisaille technique (shades of grey), a three-legged Menorah decorated with flowers and heraldic deer. In the background a wooden grille with spiral pillars. This theme is known from images on grave stones and from Russian or East European papercuts.
On the reverse-inner side of the painted canvas appears a handwritten word in Hebrew – not clear – "קבלה" or "קכלח" and twice the letter "ה". In addition, an inscription in Russian, "copy of a wall painting in a museum in Berlin January 25, 1923”.
The artist Shlomo Yudovin (1892-1954), specialized in graphic design and photography and was known for the Jewish folkloristic motifs integrated into his art. Yudovin was the photographer and illustrator of the ethnographic expedition of S. An-Sky between 1912-1914. In 1920 was appointed as curator of the "Leningrad Museum of Jewish Art" collections. At the same year he published in Yiddish his book "Jewish Folk Ornament".
30X48 cm. Good condition. Framed.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue