Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 101 - 110 of 165
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $6,000
Including buyer's premium
Two oil paintings by the kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Leon Patilon, from the collection of the family of the "Holy Painter".
1. Lake in a forest. Oil on cardboard, signed: "Patilon" (signature slightly blurred).
68X48 cm. Good condition.
2. Figure in a forest. Oil on cardboard.
68X49 cm. Tear to right margins.
The kabbalist Yehuda Leon Patilon (d. Cheshvan 1974) was known as a wonder-worker, knowledgeable in Olam Haneshamot and gilgulim. He earned his livelihood as a painter and was known as the "Holy Painter". Rabbi Yehuda Patilon was part of a group of kabbalists who studied together clandestinely and were known by their professions: "The Shoemaker" - Rabbi Moshe Ya'akov Ravikov, "The Milkman" - Rabbi Chaim Ezra Cohen, "The Floorer" - Rabbi Avraham Fish, and "The Street Cleaner" - Rabbi Yosef Waltoch.
Provenance: family of Rabbi Patilon.
1. Lake in a forest. Oil on cardboard, signed: "Patilon" (signature slightly blurred).
68X48 cm. Good condition.
2. Figure in a forest. Oil on cardboard.
68X49 cm. Tear to right margins.
The kabbalist Yehuda Leon Patilon (d. Cheshvan 1974) was known as a wonder-worker, knowledgeable in Olam Haneshamot and gilgulim. He earned his livelihood as a painter and was known as the "Holy Painter". Rabbi Yehuda Patilon was part of a group of kabbalists who studied together clandestinely and were known by their professions: "The Shoemaker" - Rabbi Moshe Ya'akov Ravikov, "The Milkman" - Rabbi Chaim Ezra Cohen, "The Floorer" - Rabbi Avraham Fish, and "The Street Cleaner" - Rabbi Yosef Waltoch.
Provenance: family of Rabbi Patilon.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
Collection of amulets and raw materials for the preparation of amulets, from the estate of Rabbi Rafael (Rafi) Nahmani, an amulet writer of Moroccan descent. [Israel, second half of the 20th century].
Unique collection, containing a rich variety of amulets of different types and raw materials for amulet preparation.
Collection includes:
* About 40 signed amulets (sewn or glued), including amulets made of paper or other organic materials.
* Dozens of raw materials for making amulets (most held in boxes or bags), including copper and tin plates, pieces of cloth, leather and parchment, various minerals and crystals, a mortar and pestle, part of an animal antler, a rabbit heart, hoopoe tongues, hoopoe hearts, hoopoe feathers, snake heads, a bag of walnuts, leaves and bones.
* About 270 handwritten leaves containing draft copies of amulet texts, Angelic Script, amulet formulas, amulet texts written by Nahmani for himself, letter crosswords and various inscriptions.
* Seven handwritten notebooks and notepads containing piyyutim, Jewish laws pertaining to animal slaughter, and formulas, amulet illustrations and Angelic Script (some of the items may have been written in Morocco).
* About 140 printed leaves containing amulets with portraits of Moroccan rabbis and printed Israeli amulets, photocopies of amulets created by Nahmani, and more.
* A leather belt, a cloth belt and an undershirt belonging to Nahmani, to which numerous amulets are attached with adhesive tape.
Size and condition vary.
Unique collection, containing a rich variety of amulets of different types and raw materials for amulet preparation.
Collection includes:
* About 40 signed amulets (sewn or glued), including amulets made of paper or other organic materials.
* Dozens of raw materials for making amulets (most held in boxes or bags), including copper and tin plates, pieces of cloth, leather and parchment, various minerals and crystals, a mortar and pestle, part of an animal antler, a rabbit heart, hoopoe tongues, hoopoe hearts, hoopoe feathers, snake heads, a bag of walnuts, leaves and bones.
* About 270 handwritten leaves containing draft copies of amulet texts, Angelic Script, amulet formulas, amulet texts written by Nahmani for himself, letter crosswords and various inscriptions.
* Seven handwritten notebooks and notepads containing piyyutim, Jewish laws pertaining to animal slaughter, and formulas, amulet illustrations and Angelic Script (some of the items may have been written in Morocco).
* About 140 printed leaves containing amulets with portraits of Moroccan rabbis and printed Israeli amulets, photocopies of amulets created by Nahmani, and more.
* A leather belt, a cloth belt and an undershirt belonging to Nahmani, to which numerous amulets are attached with adhesive tape.
Size and condition vary.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $2,500
Sold for: $3,125
Including buyer's premium
Hanukkah lamp. Brno, Moravia, 1826. Silver (marked, maker: TR or JR), embossed and sawn. Delicate Hanukkah lamp, shaped as a bench with four legs whose lower ends are shaped as leaves. The back plate shows a pair of lions in a natural posture, their front paws on a vase from which the shamash emerges. The oil fonts are shaped as small oval bowls that grow narrower towards the front. At their end is a stem for placing the wick. A similar lamp, made by the same artist, is in the collection of the Jewish Museum in New York, no. M 384 (and see item 395 in the museum's collection). Length: 12.5 cm, width: 20.5 cm. The tail of the right lion is broken and missing. The shamash is slightly bent. See: Five Centuries of Hanukkah Lamps From The Jewish Museum, A Catalogue Raisonne, by Susan L. Braunstein (New York, 2004), pp. 148, 291.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $85,000
Unsold
Pair of Torah scroll finials, made by the goldsmith Christian Ludwig Pintsch. Berlin, ca. 1755.
Silver, pierced, embossed, engraved and chased; parcel-gilt. Each of the finials is marked (stamps of the city and the goldsmith) three times.
Large, impressive finials, decorated with rocaille ornaments and lattice, applied cast eagles and pendent bells. Each finial is surmounted by an orb and bell-hung crown. Each finial is comprised of a central shaft and seven sections.
We know of two single (different) finials for a Torah scroll made by the goldsmith Christian Ludwig Pintsch; one is documented in the book by Wolfgang Schefller, Berliner Goldschmiede (Berlin, 1968), item no. 625; the other appeared in Sotheby's catalogue NO8814 (December 14, 2011), item 35.
The style of the present finials is known from other early German finials, such as a pair of finials created between 1716-1725 by the goldsmith Frantz Wagner (see: Die Goldschmiede Hamburgs, Erich Schliemann, 1985, no. 835). Another pair, similar in style, was made by the goldsmith Hans Cordt Albert Barckhan between 1760 and 1770 (see ibid., no. 838). A third pair, from the collection of the Jewish Museum in New York, was created by the goldsmith August Ferdinand Gentzmer in ca. 1789 (see Crowning Glory, Grafman, no. 260).
These finials were donated to the Nottingham Jewish community in 1913, along with a Torah scroll pointer (see next item) and 200 pounds sterling, by Gustav Meyer from Stockholm, in memory of his father, David Meyer, who served as minister of the Nottingham Jewish community between 1858 and 1868 and as president of the community in the years 1869-1881. David Meyer was even among the founders and staff of the innovative Jewish school in his community. When he resigned from his public roles and a farewell ceremony was held in his honor, Meyer was described as "One of the finest men that has been associated at any time with the Nottingham community".
Height: approx. 52 cm. Loose screws and a bend in one of the finials.
Provenance: donated to the Nottingham community in 1913 by Gustave Meyer, in memory of his father David Meyer, president of the Jewish community at Nottingham in the years 1869-1881.
Exhibition: Nottingham Castle Museum, Nottingham, ca. 1990.
Silver, pierced, embossed, engraved and chased; parcel-gilt. Each of the finials is marked (stamps of the city and the goldsmith) three times.
Large, impressive finials, decorated with rocaille ornaments and lattice, applied cast eagles and pendent bells. Each finial is surmounted by an orb and bell-hung crown. Each finial is comprised of a central shaft and seven sections.
We know of two single (different) finials for a Torah scroll made by the goldsmith Christian Ludwig Pintsch; one is documented in the book by Wolfgang Schefller, Berliner Goldschmiede (Berlin, 1968), item no. 625; the other appeared in Sotheby's catalogue NO8814 (December 14, 2011), item 35.
The style of the present finials is known from other early German finials, such as a pair of finials created between 1716-1725 by the goldsmith Frantz Wagner (see: Die Goldschmiede Hamburgs, Erich Schliemann, 1985, no. 835). Another pair, similar in style, was made by the goldsmith Hans Cordt Albert Barckhan between 1760 and 1770 (see ibid., no. 838). A third pair, from the collection of the Jewish Museum in New York, was created by the goldsmith August Ferdinand Gentzmer in ca. 1789 (see Crowning Glory, Grafman, no. 260).
These finials were donated to the Nottingham Jewish community in 1913, along with a Torah scroll pointer (see next item) and 200 pounds sterling, by Gustav Meyer from Stockholm, in memory of his father, David Meyer, who served as minister of the Nottingham Jewish community between 1858 and 1868 and as president of the community in the years 1869-1881. David Meyer was even among the founders and staff of the innovative Jewish school in his community. When he resigned from his public roles and a farewell ceremony was held in his honor, Meyer was described as "One of the finest men that has been associated at any time with the Nottingham community".
Height: approx. 52 cm. Loose screws and a bend in one of the finials.
Provenance: donated to the Nottingham community in 1913 by Gustave Meyer, in memory of his father David Meyer, president of the Jewish community at Nottingham in the years 1869-1881.
Exhibition: Nottingham Castle Museum, Nottingham, ca. 1990.
Catalogue
Lot 105 Torah Scroll Pointer - Sweden, 1799 - From the Collection of the Nottingham Jewish Community
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $6,000
Sold for: $20,000
Including buyer's premium
Torah scroll pointer ("Yad"), made by the goldsmith Anders Isleben. [Vimmerby], Sweden, [1799], dedication dated 5559 [1799].
Cast, sawed and engraved silver; parcel-gilt. Marked.
Closed hand, with an outstretched index finger and a cuff. Handle, half of which has four facets; the other half is made of four shafts decorated with small silver dots, bearing sharpened platelets and holding a gilt ball (movable). At the end of the hand is a flattened ball and a small crown-shaped decoration. Engraved on one of the facets is the dedication: "Leib son of Moshe Lam", and on another facet – a verse from the Book of Exodus (13:9), enciphering the Jewish year 5559, corresponding to 1799.
The name of Rabbi Leib Lamm from Stockholm appears at the end of the book "Chevel Lehachiot" ["A Rope to Recover"], printed in Altona in 1803, in a list of prenumeranten. A Torah shield with a dedication by Aaron son of Leib Lamm (also from the collection of the Nottingham Jewish community) was sold at Sotheby's, auction N08814 (December 14, 2011), item no. 32. At the end of the pointer is a loop and chain.
This is one of the earliest known Jewish ceremonial objects from Sweden. There is little existing evidence regarding Jewish presence in Sweden until the 18th century (according to population records, in 1787 no more than 150 Jews lived in Sweden, and in 1807 – 631 Jews only). In 1779, under the reign of Gustav III, Jews were granted the right to settle in Stockholm, Göteborg and Norrköping, under certain restrictions. In 1782, Jews were granted the right to settle in Sweden without converting to Christianity, and at the same year Jews were granted the privilege to build a synagogue and to pray in public.
See previous item.
Length: 29.5 cm. Good condition.
Provenance: donated to the Nottingham community in 1913 by Gustave Meyer, in memory of his father David Meyer, president of the Jewish community at Nottingham in the years 1869-1881.
Cast, sawed and engraved silver; parcel-gilt. Marked.
Closed hand, with an outstretched index finger and a cuff. Handle, half of which has four facets; the other half is made of four shafts decorated with small silver dots, bearing sharpened platelets and holding a gilt ball (movable). At the end of the hand is a flattened ball and a small crown-shaped decoration. Engraved on one of the facets is the dedication: "Leib son of Moshe Lam", and on another facet – a verse from the Book of Exodus (13:9), enciphering the Jewish year 5559, corresponding to 1799.
The name of Rabbi Leib Lamm from Stockholm appears at the end of the book "Chevel Lehachiot" ["A Rope to Recover"], printed in Altona in 1803, in a list of prenumeranten. A Torah shield with a dedication by Aaron son of Leib Lamm (also from the collection of the Nottingham Jewish community) was sold at Sotheby's, auction N08814 (December 14, 2011), item no. 32. At the end of the pointer is a loop and chain.
This is one of the earliest known Jewish ceremonial objects from Sweden. There is little existing evidence regarding Jewish presence in Sweden until the 18th century (according to population records, in 1787 no more than 150 Jews lived in Sweden, and in 1807 – 631 Jews only). In 1779, under the reign of Gustav III, Jews were granted the right to settle in Stockholm, Göteborg and Norrköping, under certain restrictions. In 1782, Jews were granted the right to settle in Sweden without converting to Christianity, and at the same year Jews were granted the privilege to build a synagogue and to pray in public.
See previous item.
Length: 29.5 cm. Good condition.
Provenance: donated to the Nottingham community in 1913 by Gustave Meyer, in memory of his father David Meyer, president of the Jewish community at Nottingham in the years 1869-1881.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $2,000
Unsold
Passover plate (bowl). Europe, ca. 1842.
Cast and engraved tin; marked on reverse with maker's mark and dated.
Designed according to a pattern apparently created in Germany in the first half of the 19th century (a very similar ceramic plate, dated to the first half of the 19th century, can be found in the collection of the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw).
Engraved at the center of the plate is the "Passover Sacrifice" - a lamb, surrounded by the plate's simanim, inside circles decorated with delicate vegetal motifs. Engraved on the margins are the inscription "Seder Ha'Ke'ara" (the plate order) and the Seder simanim (from "kadesh" to "nirtze") - each in an elliptical frame whose margins fuse with the margins of the nearby frame.
Diameter: 34 cm, height: 3 cm. Good overall condition. Slight defects and some stains.
See: The Museum of the Jewish Historical Institute, Arts and Crafts (Warsaw, 1995), item no. 86.
Cast and engraved tin; marked on reverse with maker's mark and dated.
Designed according to a pattern apparently created in Germany in the first half of the 19th century (a very similar ceramic plate, dated to the first half of the 19th century, can be found in the collection of the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw).
Engraved at the center of the plate is the "Passover Sacrifice" - a lamb, surrounded by the plate's simanim, inside circles decorated with delicate vegetal motifs. Engraved on the margins are the inscription "Seder Ha'Ke'ara" (the plate order) and the Seder simanim (from "kadesh" to "nirtze") - each in an elliptical frame whose margins fuse with the margins of the nearby frame.
Diameter: 34 cm, height: 3 cm. Good overall condition. Slight defects and some stains.
See: The Museum of the Jewish Historical Institute, Arts and Crafts (Warsaw, 1995), item no. 86.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $3,000
Unsold
Basket for matzos. [Poland, 19th century].
Canvas on cardboard, embroidery in red cotton thread.
Embroidered inscription: "Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread" [Hebrew].
This basket is a few centimeters taller that other known baskets of this type.
See: Israel Museum collection, item no. B50.02.1788; 158/007 (acquired through the Jewish Restitution Successor Organization).
Height: 20 cm, diameter: 30.5 cm. Good condition. Stains.
Canvas on cardboard, embroidery in red cotton thread.
Embroidered inscription: "Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread" [Hebrew].
This basket is a few centimeters taller that other known baskets of this type.
See: Israel Museum collection, item no. B50.02.1788; 158/007 (acquired through the Jewish Restitution Successor Organization).
Height: 20 cm, diameter: 30.5 cm. Good condition. Stains.
Catalogue
18 PHOTOS
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $6,250
Including buyer's premium
"The Tree of Life Shtender", a splendid wooden "Shtender" (a reading table), handmade. Designed by the artists David Moss and Noah Greenberg. Bezalel-Editions, 1980-1998.
A copy from an edition of eighteen copies, signed by Moss and Greenberg and marked A.P.
In 1979, David Moss first conceived the idea of transforming the "Shtender" from a simple item designed for prayer and study into a complex Judaica item that addresses not only the spiritual aspect of religion, but also the practical side - the observance of commandments. Together with Noah Greenberg (master of carpentry, born in California), he spent over a decade developing and building the special "Shtender" that would look fairly standard outwardly, but on the inside would contain in secret compartments the ceremonial objects that are essential for the practice of the Jewish religion.
The motif selected for the design of the "Shtender" was Israeli trees and plants, including the seven species. Each item that is found in the "Shtender" is decorated with vegetal patterns, carved in wood, representing the command for which it is intended.
Great artistic work went into every part of the "Shtender", starting from choosing the design motif down to the careful and skillful carving.
The prototype of the "Shtender" was hand-carved by Noah Greenberg.
Total of 180 copies were created by expert craftsmen in workshops abroad, under the supervision of Greenberg. Copies of the "Shtender" were displayed in several museums and synagogues in the United States and are found in private collections around the world.
The "Shtender" contains:
* A charity box. Carved decorations of fig leaves and fruit appear on its walls. * A carry-on Tefillin box. Carved branches of an apple tree on the side walls. * Kiddush set - Kiddush goblet and plate, made of silver, and four smaller goblets (for family members), placed in a carved wooden box, decorated with vine leaves. * A seven-branched Menorah, carved out of one walnut tree piece, shaped as the branches of an almond tree. * Wooden Challah tray. Around the slicing surface appear carvings of ears of wheat. There is a drawer in the base of the tray; in it is stored a knife with a carved handle. Inside the knife's handle there is an extractable part that can be used as a salt shaker.* Ethrog container with a folding handle.* A holder for a Lulav, with carvings of Lulav, myrtle and willow branches.* Set for the Passover Seder: an eight-sided plate, with dents for vials; six vials made of silver; a silver goblet, and a carved wooden box for Matzah. The set folds so that all its parts are housed inside the Matzah container (Great craftsmanship and time were invested in creating the set. This appears to be the most complex of all items in the "Shtender"). * A Hanukkah Lamp with olive-shaped metal oil fonts. On the side plates appear carved olive branches.* A Shofar box, made of carved ebony, and a Shofar. * A Havdala Set - a wooden case, with a removable candlestick. In its base a small drawer for perfumes. In creating this item, pieces of the Tamboti tree were used (a particularly aromatic African tree). * Sfirat Ha Omer calendar made of walnut tree, with ornaments in the shape of barley ears. The calendar is composed of three separate parts that are assembled together and placed at the top of the "Shtander".* Esther scroll, written on parchment, stored in a wooden case. * Siddur for Mincha prayer, bound in an elegant wooden binding (the Hebrew title of the siddur: "Bau Lefanav, Seder Mincha , Shtender "Tree of Life", published by Bezalel, 1998).
Height: 108 cm. Width: 42 cm. Good condition. Minor defects to some parts.
A copy from an edition of eighteen copies, signed by Moss and Greenberg and marked A.P.
In 1979, David Moss first conceived the idea of transforming the "Shtender" from a simple item designed for prayer and study into a complex Judaica item that addresses not only the spiritual aspect of religion, but also the practical side - the observance of commandments. Together with Noah Greenberg (master of carpentry, born in California), he spent over a decade developing and building the special "Shtender" that would look fairly standard outwardly, but on the inside would contain in secret compartments the ceremonial objects that are essential for the practice of the Jewish religion.
The motif selected for the design of the "Shtender" was Israeli trees and plants, including the seven species. Each item that is found in the "Shtender" is decorated with vegetal patterns, carved in wood, representing the command for which it is intended.
Great artistic work went into every part of the "Shtender", starting from choosing the design motif down to the careful and skillful carving.
The prototype of the "Shtender" was hand-carved by Noah Greenberg.
Total of 180 copies were created by expert craftsmen in workshops abroad, under the supervision of Greenberg. Copies of the "Shtender" were displayed in several museums and synagogues in the United States and are found in private collections around the world.
The "Shtender" contains:
* A charity box. Carved decorations of fig leaves and fruit appear on its walls. * A carry-on Tefillin box. Carved branches of an apple tree on the side walls. * Kiddush set - Kiddush goblet and plate, made of silver, and four smaller goblets (for family members), placed in a carved wooden box, decorated with vine leaves. * A seven-branched Menorah, carved out of one walnut tree piece, shaped as the branches of an almond tree. * Wooden Challah tray. Around the slicing surface appear carvings of ears of wheat. There is a drawer in the base of the tray; in it is stored a knife with a carved handle. Inside the knife's handle there is an extractable part that can be used as a salt shaker.* Ethrog container with a folding handle.* A holder for a Lulav, with carvings of Lulav, myrtle and willow branches.* Set for the Passover Seder: an eight-sided plate, with dents for vials; six vials made of silver; a silver goblet, and a carved wooden box for Matzah. The set folds so that all its parts are housed inside the Matzah container (Great craftsmanship and time were invested in creating the set. This appears to be the most complex of all items in the "Shtender"). * A Hanukkah Lamp with olive-shaped metal oil fonts. On the side plates appear carved olive branches.* A Shofar box, made of carved ebony, and a Shofar. * A Havdala Set - a wooden case, with a removable candlestick. In its base a small drawer for perfumes. In creating this item, pieces of the Tamboti tree were used (a particularly aromatic African tree). * Sfirat Ha Omer calendar made of walnut tree, with ornaments in the shape of barley ears. The calendar is composed of three separate parts that are assembled together and placed at the top of the "Shtander".* Esther scroll, written on parchment, stored in a wooden case. * Siddur for Mincha prayer, bound in an elegant wooden binding (the Hebrew title of the siddur: "Bau Lefanav, Seder Mincha , Shtender "Tree of Life", published by Bezalel, 1998).
Height: 108 cm. Width: 42 cm. Good condition. Minor defects to some parts.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $6,250
Including buyer's premium
Herzliya Gymnasium. [Place of casting unknown - possibly Palestine, 1919].
Cast bronze; engraved brass plaque; wood.
Massive and impressive bronze relief presenting the façade of the Herzliya Gymnasium building in Tel Aviv. As indicated by the dedication plaque, the relief was presented as a gift to the philanthropist Jacob Moser, who had donated funds for the building of the gymnasium: "A gift to Magistrate Mr. Jacob Moser of Bradford on his eightieth birthday, from the Jewish National Fund" [Hebrew].
The Shvedron Collection at the NLI contains a clipping from the journal "The Zionist Review" from 1919, showing a photograph of the philanthropist Jacob Moser holding the relief as he receives it. This photograph, of Moser holding the Gymnasium relief, also appears under the entry "Moser, Jacob" in the Jewish Encyclopedia.
The industrialist, magistrate and advocate Jacob Moser was born in 1893 in Kappeln, Germany, studied at Hamburg and Paris, and later moved to Bradford, England. Following the speech delivered by David Wolffsohn at the Eighth Zionist Congress in The Hague in 1907 regarding the founding of a splendid home for the first Hebrew gymnasium to be established in Tel Aviv, Moser announced he would donate 80 thousand francs for the building's construction, under one condition - that the institution be named after Theodor Herzl. Later, Moser took upon himself all of the expenses of the building's construction, from floor to ceiling, which came to a total of about 99,500 francs, and continued to do so in the following years, in donations reaching a total sum of about one million francs. Among other things, Moser was a member of the JNF board of directors, received honorary citizenship from his city of Bradford, served as the mayor of Bradford (elected in 1911), donated to the building of an old folks' home in his city, and donated major funds to the planting of Herzl Forest. Moser died in Bradford in 1922.
Relief: approx. 38X63 cm, wooden frame: 52X75 cm. Weight: 16 kg. Good overall condition. Some defects and scratches. Missing screws (?) to relief reverse. Breaks and defects to wooden frame, some glued.
Cast bronze; engraved brass plaque; wood.
Massive and impressive bronze relief presenting the façade of the Herzliya Gymnasium building in Tel Aviv. As indicated by the dedication plaque, the relief was presented as a gift to the philanthropist Jacob Moser, who had donated funds for the building of the gymnasium: "A gift to Magistrate Mr. Jacob Moser of Bradford on his eightieth birthday, from the Jewish National Fund" [Hebrew].
The Shvedron Collection at the NLI contains a clipping from the journal "The Zionist Review" from 1919, showing a photograph of the philanthropist Jacob Moser holding the relief as he receives it. This photograph, of Moser holding the Gymnasium relief, also appears under the entry "Moser, Jacob" in the Jewish Encyclopedia.
The industrialist, magistrate and advocate Jacob Moser was born in 1893 in Kappeln, Germany, studied at Hamburg and Paris, and later moved to Bradford, England. Following the speech delivered by David Wolffsohn at the Eighth Zionist Congress in The Hague in 1907 regarding the founding of a splendid home for the first Hebrew gymnasium to be established in Tel Aviv, Moser announced he would donate 80 thousand francs for the building's construction, under one condition - that the institution be named after Theodor Herzl. Later, Moser took upon himself all of the expenses of the building's construction, from floor to ceiling, which came to a total of about 99,500 francs, and continued to do so in the following years, in donations reaching a total sum of about one million francs. Among other things, Moser was a member of the JNF board of directors, received honorary citizenship from his city of Bradford, served as the mayor of Bradford (elected in 1911), donated to the building of an old folks' home in his city, and donated major funds to the planting of Herzl Forest. Moser died in Bradford in 1922.
Relief: approx. 38X63 cm, wooden frame: 52X75 cm. Weight: 16 kg. Good overall condition. Some defects and scratches. Missing screws (?) to relief reverse. Breaks and defects to wooden frame, some glued.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $4,000
Sold for: $12,500
Including buyer's premium
Jérusalem, Étude et Reproduction Photographique des Monuments de la Ville Sainte, by Auguste Salzmann. Paris: Gide et J. Baudry, 1856. French. Two parts (text and plates) in one volume. Separate title page for each part.
"Jerusalem", 40 photographs by Auguste Salzmann. Including: photographs of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Tombs of the Kings, the Valley of Josaphat, the Valley of Hinnom, the Mosque of Omar, Jaffa Gate, and more. The photographs are bound together with a written study of the photographed sites (originally, the photograph plates and the study were printed in two separate volumes).
In 1853, the French photographer Auguste Salzmann (1824-1872) travelled to Palestine with the aim of documenting various sites, particularly in Jerusalem and its surroundings, and especially the discoveries of French archeologist Félicien de Saulcy. That year, De Saulcy had published his findings from an archeological study conducted in Palestine, in a book that aroused controversy and was received with some reservations. In an attempt to support the work of De Saulcy (to whom the present book is dedicated) Salzmann took about 200 photographs. This is considered a pioneer project in the field of archeological documentation using photography. Although Salzmann's goal was mostly scientific documentation, his photographs are also impressive in their artistic quality. The photographs were first published in 1854 in a book printed in a limited number of copies, followed two years later by the present edition.
[4], 92 pp + [3] plates; [6] pp, [4] plates, 42.5 cm. Binding with leather spine. Gilt edges. Fair condition. Foxing throughout the book, including on photographs (although about half of the photographs are clean). Printed on the title page of the first part (the study) is the title "Planches", and alongside it, in pencil, is the inscription "Etude". Damage to binding.
"Jerusalem", 40 photographs by Auguste Salzmann. Including: photographs of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Tombs of the Kings, the Valley of Josaphat, the Valley of Hinnom, the Mosque of Omar, Jaffa Gate, and more. The photographs are bound together with a written study of the photographed sites (originally, the photograph plates and the study were printed in two separate volumes).
In 1853, the French photographer Auguste Salzmann (1824-1872) travelled to Palestine with the aim of documenting various sites, particularly in Jerusalem and its surroundings, and especially the discoveries of French archeologist Félicien de Saulcy. That year, De Saulcy had published his findings from an archeological study conducted in Palestine, in a book that aroused controversy and was received with some reservations. In an attempt to support the work of De Saulcy (to whom the present book is dedicated) Salzmann took about 200 photographs. This is considered a pioneer project in the field of archeological documentation using photography. Although Salzmann's goal was mostly scientific documentation, his photographs are also impressive in their artistic quality. The photographs were first published in 1854 in a book printed in a limited number of copies, followed two years later by the present edition.
[4], 92 pp + [3] plates; [6] pp, [4] plates, 42.5 cm. Binding with leather spine. Gilt edges. Fair condition. Foxing throughout the book, including on photographs (although about half of the photographs are clean). Printed on the title page of the first part (the study) is the title "Planches", and alongside it, in pencil, is the inscription "Etude". Damage to binding.
Catalogue