Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Displaying 1 - 12 of 14
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
Circumcision knife with figurative handle, depicting the Binding of Isaac. [Continental, 18th century?].
Silver and an unidentified alloy; wax carving, cast.
Circumcision knife. Figurative handle, depicting the Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22, 1-19). Abraham, supported by an acanthus branch, stands front center, holding the head of Isaac. In his right hand Abraham holds the knife, hiding it behind his back where it rests upon the ram's neck. A winged angel is hovering over Abraham's shoulder, holding his hand to prevent him from sacrificing Isaac.
The Binding of Isaac is often depicted on circumcision knives, alluding to the covenant G-d made with Abraham, in which he commanded him to circumcise himself and his household (Genesis 17, 23). This unusual composition is typical of knife handles carved in wood and ivory. A similar carved wooden handle, originating in 17th century Italy (?), exists in the Stieglitz Collection, kept at the Israel Museum (accession number: B86.0226).
3X14.5 cm. Blade length: 8 cm. Weight: 78.5 gr. Good-fair condition. Dull blade. Wear to sculpture.
Silver and an unidentified alloy; wax carving, cast.
Circumcision knife. Figurative handle, depicting the Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22, 1-19). Abraham, supported by an acanthus branch, stands front center, holding the head of Isaac. In his right hand Abraham holds the knife, hiding it behind his back where it rests upon the ram's neck. A winged angel is hovering over Abraham's shoulder, holding his hand to prevent him from sacrificing Isaac.
The Binding of Isaac is often depicted on circumcision knives, alluding to the covenant G-d made with Abraham, in which he commanded him to circumcise himself and his household (Genesis 17, 23). This unusual composition is typical of knife handles carved in wood and ivory. A similar carved wooden handle, originating in 17th century Italy (?), exists in the Stieglitz Collection, kept at the Israel Museum (accession number: B86.0226).
3X14.5 cm. Blade length: 8 cm. Weight: 78.5 gr. Good-fair condition. Dull blade. Wear to sculpture.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $500
Sold for: $813
Including buyer's premium
Carved wooden plate made by S. [Semen] Wintoniuk, Bilcze Złote (Eastern Galicia, Poland; today Ukraine). [Late 19th century or early 20th century].
Carved bread plate; central relief of a sheaf of wheat surrounded by a sickle, a flail and a plow. The brief version of Birkat HaMazon (five words in Aramaic) and a Star of David are carved around the edges.
The underside of the plate is signed "S. Wintoniuk, Bilcze". The artist is recorded in a 1925 list of emigrants leaving the Bremen port in Germany to the USA with his full name, Semen Wintoniuk from Bilcze Złote, stating his occupation as 'carpenter'.
The folk wood-carvings created in Galicia both by Jewish and non-Jewish sculptors are renowned for their beauty. The carved wooden holy arks in Poland and Ukraine are unique in their size and their lavish ornamentation. Numerous other sacred and mundane objects, ranging from prayer podiums and Torah pointers to houseware, were all artfully carved in wood.
Diameter: 27.5 cm. Good condition. Minor scratches. Few stains. Damage to paint on underside. Suspension loop attached to underside.
Carved bread plate; central relief of a sheaf of wheat surrounded by a sickle, a flail and a plow. The brief version of Birkat HaMazon (five words in Aramaic) and a Star of David are carved around the edges.
The underside of the plate is signed "S. Wintoniuk, Bilcze". The artist is recorded in a 1925 list of emigrants leaving the Bremen port in Germany to the USA with his full name, Semen Wintoniuk from Bilcze Złote, stating his occupation as 'carpenter'.
The folk wood-carvings created in Galicia both by Jewish and non-Jewish sculptors are renowned for their beauty. The carved wooden holy arks in Poland and Ukraine are unique in their size and their lavish ornamentation. Numerous other sacred and mundane objects, ranging from prayer podiums and Torah pointers to houseware, were all artfully carved in wood.
Diameter: 27.5 cm. Good condition. Minor scratches. Few stains. Damage to paint on underside. Suspension loop attached to underside.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Chanukah lamp. [Holland, 19th century].
Brass; cast, soldered and bent.
A lamp characteristically used by the Dutch Portuguese community. The back plate consists of three lilies above openings shaped as wide shields. On the base of the central lily is a blank rectangular plate. Apertures in the lilies. A cast Shamash is placed in the opening of the right lily. A cast row of oil fonts, removable. The oil fonts and the back plate are contained in a matching base with pierced apertures designated for projections securing the lamp to the base.
Height: 23.5 cm. Width: 27 cm. Good condition. Bends. Stains. Some defects. Lacking oil font.
Literature: Narkis, "Menorat HaHanukkah", plate XXI, item 58.
Brass; cast, soldered and bent.
A lamp characteristically used by the Dutch Portuguese community. The back plate consists of three lilies above openings shaped as wide shields. On the base of the central lily is a blank rectangular plate. Apertures in the lilies. A cast Shamash is placed in the opening of the right lily. A cast row of oil fonts, removable. The oil fonts and the back plate are contained in a matching base with pierced apertures designated for projections securing the lamp to the base.
Height: 23.5 cm. Width: 27 cm. Good condition. Bends. Stains. Some defects. Lacking oil font.
Literature: Narkis, "Menorat HaHanukkah", plate XXI, item 58.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
Upright Chanukah lamp. [Iraq, 1930s or 40s].
Low grade silver; German silver.
Upright Chanukah lamp with eight branches in a circle, ending in oil-fonts. The shamash crowns the central shaft.
This type of Chanukah lamps appeared in Iraq in the early 1930s as Iraq won its independence, remaining popular for the following two decades until the mass immigration to Israel in the early 50s.
Height: 27.5 cm. Good-fair condition. One lacking branch. Stains. Bends. An (unidentified) catalog no. is engraved unto the underside of the lamps.
Literature: Oriental Jewish Communities in the 19th and 20th Centuries, Iraq. Edited by Haim Saadon. Jerusalem: Ben Zvi Institute, 2003.
Low grade silver; German silver.
Upright Chanukah lamp with eight branches in a circle, ending in oil-fonts. The shamash crowns the central shaft.
This type of Chanukah lamps appeared in Iraq in the early 1930s as Iraq won its independence, remaining popular for the following two decades until the mass immigration to Israel in the early 50s.
Height: 27.5 cm. Good-fair condition. One lacking branch. Stains. Bends. An (unidentified) catalog no. is engraved unto the underside of the lamps.
Literature: Oriental Jewish Communities in the 19th and 20th Centuries, Iraq. Edited by Haim Saadon. Jerusalem: Ben Zvi Institute, 2003.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $1,500
Unsold
Silver plate Chanukah lamp with lion-shaped oil fonts. [Unknown origin, second half of the 20th century].
The back plate consists of eight arches topped by the Tablets of Law on a backdrop of acanthus leaves, surrounded by a rose medallion arch surmounted in turn by a crown.
The oil fonts are designed like lions, each with a narrow pipe for inserting a wick in its mouth.
The row of oil fonts is flanked by couchant lions on pedestals, each engraved with a Star of David. Removable lion shaped oil flask and servant light attached to back plate.
Height: 26.5 cm. Width: 35 cm. Good condition. Minor corrosion. A point on top of the crown broken off (enclosed).
The back plate consists of eight arches topped by the Tablets of Law on a backdrop of acanthus leaves, surrounded by a rose medallion arch surmounted in turn by a crown.
The oil fonts are designed like lions, each with a narrow pipe for inserting a wick in its mouth.
The row of oil fonts is flanked by couchant lions on pedestals, each engraved with a Star of David. Removable lion shaped oil flask and servant light attached to back plate.
Height: 26.5 cm. Width: 35 cm. Good condition. Minor corrosion. A point on top of the crown broken off (enclosed).
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $2,000
Unsold
Pair of Torah finials. Vienna (Alt Wien), 1846.
Silver (marked), cast, embossed and engraved.
Round base. Shafts, bases and body of finials are decorated with bands of floral and foliate patterns. The finials are surmounted by crowns, topped in turn with bud-like foliate knops. Six decorated chains are suspended from each finial, each consisting of a flower-shaped elongated link between two round links and ending with small medallions embossed with flowers (four medallions on one finial were replaced with 19th-century Persian coins). A Hebrew dedication is engraved on the base of one finial: "Eliezer [with his spouse] / Gittel Gestetner".
Height: 37 cm. Overall good condition. Some bends and cracks to crowns. Loose knop. Soldering repairs to one finial. Missing bells (?).
Silver (marked), cast, embossed and engraved.
Round base. Shafts, bases and body of finials are decorated with bands of floral and foliate patterns. The finials are surmounted by crowns, topped in turn with bud-like foliate knops. Six decorated chains are suspended from each finial, each consisting of a flower-shaped elongated link between two round links and ending with small medallions embossed with flowers (four medallions on one finial were replaced with 19th-century Persian coins). A Hebrew dedication is engraved on the base of one finial: "Eliezer [with his spouse] / Gittel Gestetner".
Height: 37 cm. Overall good condition. Some bends and cracks to crowns. Loose knop. Soldering repairs to one finial. Missing bells (?).
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $3,500
Unsold
Gilt wooden Torah ark cresting in the form of a foliate rosette. [Romania, late 19th or early 20th century?].
Carved wood; plaster; paint and gilding.
Approx. 88X85 cm. Fair-poor condition. Extensive fractures and losses to wood and paint. Glue repairs to wood. Paint and gilding repairs. Mounted on a wooden board.
Carved wood; plaster; paint and gilding.
Approx. 88X85 cm. Fair-poor condition. Extensive fractures and losses to wood and paint. Glue repairs to wood. Paint and gilding repairs. Mounted on a wooden board.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $2,125
Including buyer's premium
Torah mantle with goldwork embroidery, dedicated in memory of the donor's late husband. Craiova (Romania), Nissan (March-April) 1907.
Goldwork embroidery; cardboard cutouts; colored threads; metal applique; burgundy velvet; cotton lining.
Embroidered with torah crown, corresponding initials and inscription: "This embroidered mantle was donated by the generous woman Mrs. Leah, widow of the late Moshe Isaac Mendel of blessed memory, so that his soul may merit a garment in Heaven / may she be remembered and blessed / Craiova, Nissan 5667". With ornate foliate border.
The concept of the heavenly garment referred to in the inscription, originally called haluka de-rabanan [literally "rabbinical garb"], originates in the Zohar. It is mentioned in a prayer some say each morning before wearing a prayer shawl, linking the commandment involving garments in this world to the ascent of the soul and its garments in heaven. An additional commandment involving dress is the commandment of covering a Torah scroll, which, when performed in memory of the deceased, can grant their soul merit in heaven as well. The Talmud says that 'he who holds a bare Torah scroll shall be buried naked', that is, stripped of good deeds. From this source (among others) the Halacha concludes that a Torah scroll has to be covered. This mantle was dedicated by the widow so that the merit of covering a Torah scroll shall render her late husband's soul worthy of a heavenly garment.
80X47 cm. Fair condition. Threadbare velvet. Tears and unraveling to cloth. Damage to goldwork.
Goldwork embroidery; cardboard cutouts; colored threads; metal applique; burgundy velvet; cotton lining.
Embroidered with torah crown, corresponding initials and inscription: "This embroidered mantle was donated by the generous woman Mrs. Leah, widow of the late Moshe Isaac Mendel of blessed memory, so that his soul may merit a garment in Heaven / may she be remembered and blessed / Craiova, Nissan 5667". With ornate foliate border.
The concept of the heavenly garment referred to in the inscription, originally called haluka de-rabanan [literally "rabbinical garb"], originates in the Zohar. It is mentioned in a prayer some say each morning before wearing a prayer shawl, linking the commandment involving garments in this world to the ascent of the soul and its garments in heaven. An additional commandment involving dress is the commandment of covering a Torah scroll, which, when performed in memory of the deceased, can grant their soul merit in heaven as well. The Talmud says that 'he who holds a bare Torah scroll shall be buried naked', that is, stripped of good deeds. From this source (among others) the Halacha concludes that a Torah scroll has to be covered. This mantle was dedicated by the widow so that the merit of covering a Torah scroll shall render her late husband's soul worthy of a heavenly garment.
80X47 cm. Fair condition. Threadbare velvet. Tears and unraveling to cloth. Damage to goldwork.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Lot 412 Collection of Garments and Jewelry from a Bridal Attire Set - Yemen and Israel, 20th Century
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $3,250
Including buyer's premium
Collection of embroidered garments and silver jewelry from the Jewish and Islamic tradition, used as bridal attire after the immigration of Yemenite Jews to Israel. [Yemen and Israel, 20th century].
Silver; gold brocade; embroidery.
After the Yemenite immigration to Israel in the 50s, the richly complex Yemenite ethnic attire and jewelry tradition underwent transformation due to the Israeli assimilation policy and the nature of mass immigration. Many Yemenite Jews were compelled to sell their jewelry to finance their journey and others were not able to bring their ceremonial outfits with them. Traditional bridal garments reappeared at Yemenite weddings in Israel but, as customs shifted, had become part of the Henna celebration rather than the wedding itself. Instead of the varied outfits and jewelry unique to each region, the Sanaite bridal attire, called Tishbukh Lulu (after the pearl-encrusted headdress), took over, becoming the stereotypical Yemenite bridal dress. This attire too began to change as pieces which in Yemen were used only by Muslim women (though usually crafted by Jewish silversmiths since in Yemen this was exclusively a Jewish occupation) and jewelry traditional to other Yemenite Jewish regions were incorporated. Therefore, this collection consists of Jewish jewelry and garments alongside Muslim ones, and of women's and girls' items. The context, having changed, gave new meaning to these items; rather than signifying social, marital and religious status they have now become markers of ethnic identity and tradition.
1. Festive hood for Jewish brides and new mothers. [Yemen, first half of the 20th century]. Gold brocade (Mizahar) bordered with embroidered rows of silver, gold, colored threads and barley grain-shaped pendants (aqrāt she‘iriyāt) although not including a row of pearls. Gilt filigree plaques and rows of coins were traditionally sewn unto the hood (not enclosed).
2. Mekhautam, ceremonial leggings embroidered with white, red and silver threads, worn by Jewish girls before their marriage. Without the rows of embroidery and beads characteristic to girls' leggings. Attached to gold brocade.
3. A labbe shaeiriyat bib-necklace, worn by Muslim women. Granulation, punched and filigree.
4-5. Two women's bracelets. Granulation and filigree.
6. Heavy silver belt for a Muslim bride made of two rows of plates decorated with granulation, silver ropes and bells. Double dome-shaped buckle.
7. Dukka necklace made of large silver beads, imitation amber beads and a talisman. In Saan'a, such necklaces were worn by Muslim women, unmarried Jewish girls and Jewish brides. However, in other Yemenite regions, Dukka necklaces were part of the set of jewelry donned by Jewish women.
8. Lazim necklace made of a central silver rectangular plaque, decorated with granulation, two triangular end-plates also decorated with granulation, and six chains with "berry" type, coral and plain silver beads (the latter possibly a later addition).
Size and condition vary. Soldering repairs, late additions and repairs.
Literature: Ma'ase Rokem, Dress and Jewelry in the Tradition of the Jews of Yemen, Carmella Abdar. E'ele BeTamar foundation, 2008.
Silver; gold brocade; embroidery.
After the Yemenite immigration to Israel in the 50s, the richly complex Yemenite ethnic attire and jewelry tradition underwent transformation due to the Israeli assimilation policy and the nature of mass immigration. Many Yemenite Jews were compelled to sell their jewelry to finance their journey and others were not able to bring their ceremonial outfits with them. Traditional bridal garments reappeared at Yemenite weddings in Israel but, as customs shifted, had become part of the Henna celebration rather than the wedding itself. Instead of the varied outfits and jewelry unique to each region, the Sanaite bridal attire, called Tishbukh Lulu (after the pearl-encrusted headdress), took over, becoming the stereotypical Yemenite bridal dress. This attire too began to change as pieces which in Yemen were used only by Muslim women (though usually crafted by Jewish silversmiths since in Yemen this was exclusively a Jewish occupation) and jewelry traditional to other Yemenite Jewish regions were incorporated. Therefore, this collection consists of Jewish jewelry and garments alongside Muslim ones, and of women's and girls' items. The context, having changed, gave new meaning to these items; rather than signifying social, marital and religious status they have now become markers of ethnic identity and tradition.
1. Festive hood for Jewish brides and new mothers. [Yemen, first half of the 20th century]. Gold brocade (Mizahar) bordered with embroidered rows of silver, gold, colored threads and barley grain-shaped pendants (aqrāt she‘iriyāt) although not including a row of pearls. Gilt filigree plaques and rows of coins were traditionally sewn unto the hood (not enclosed).
2. Mekhautam, ceremonial leggings embroidered with white, red and silver threads, worn by Jewish girls before their marriage. Without the rows of embroidery and beads characteristic to girls' leggings. Attached to gold brocade.
3. A labbe shaeiriyat bib-necklace, worn by Muslim women. Granulation, punched and filigree.
4-5. Two women's bracelets. Granulation and filigree.
6. Heavy silver belt for a Muslim bride made of two rows of plates decorated with granulation, silver ropes and bells. Double dome-shaped buckle.
7. Dukka necklace made of large silver beads, imitation amber beads and a talisman. In Saan'a, such necklaces were worn by Muslim women, unmarried Jewish girls and Jewish brides. However, in other Yemenite regions, Dukka necklaces were part of the set of jewelry donned by Jewish women.
8. Lazim necklace made of a central silver rectangular plaque, decorated with granulation, two triangular end-plates also decorated with granulation, and six chains with "berry" type, coral and plain silver beads (the latter possibly a later addition).
Size and condition vary. Soldering repairs, late additions and repairs.
Literature: Ma'ase Rokem, Dress and Jewelry in the Tradition of the Jews of Yemen, Carmella Abdar. E'ele BeTamar foundation, 2008.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $2,500
Unsold
Silk embroidered tallit (Prayer Shawl) and silk goldwork tallit bag. [Italy (?) and the Ottoman Empire, late 19th century to early 20th century].
1. Silk tallit with embroidered corners. [Italy? Early 20th century?].
Silk; colored embroidery threads.
Tallit with light blue stripes and knotted decorative fringes. Ivory-colored silk squares are sewn on the four corners of the tallit, embroidered with colored floral and butterfly patterns and monogrammed EB. silk ritual fringes.
90X210 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor tears. The ends of the fringes are worn.
2. Silk goldwork tallit bag. [Ottoman Empire, late 19th century or early 20th century].
Silk; goldwork on cardboard cutouts; sequins; purl embroidery.
Ivory silk bag, embroidered with floral and foliate patterns. A large ornate letter N embroidered in the center.
Approx. 31X35 cm. Good condition. Some loss to goldwork. Large tear along the entire width of the bag lining. Tear to edge of bag. Hook and eye fastening.
1. Silk tallit with embroidered corners. [Italy? Early 20th century?].
Silk; colored embroidery threads.
Tallit with light blue stripes and knotted decorative fringes. Ivory-colored silk squares are sewn on the four corners of the tallit, embroidered with colored floral and butterfly patterns and monogrammed EB. silk ritual fringes.
90X210 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor tears. The ends of the fringes are worn.
2. Silk goldwork tallit bag. [Ottoman Empire, late 19th century or early 20th century].
Silk; goldwork on cardboard cutouts; sequins; purl embroidery.
Ivory silk bag, embroidered with floral and foliate patterns. A large ornate letter N embroidered in the center.
Approx. 31X35 cm. Good condition. Some loss to goldwork. Large tear along the entire width of the bag lining. Tear to edge of bag. Hook and eye fastening.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
A pictorial rug depicting Moses carrying the Tablets of the Law. [Afghanistan, 1970s].
Wool knot-pile; wool and cotton foundation.
A single central panel depicts Moses carrying the Tablets of the Law and his staff with a desert landscape in the background. An inscription in the bottom reads, "And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." (Deuteronomy 34:10; Hebrew).
91x123 cm. Good condition. Light stains. Minor damage to lower corners. Hanging loops sewn on upper corners.
Literature: Jewish Carpets, by Anton Felton. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 1997. p. 86.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.
Wool knot-pile; wool and cotton foundation.
A single central panel depicts Moses carrying the Tablets of the Law and his staff with a desert landscape in the background. An inscription in the bottom reads, "And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." (Deuteronomy 34:10; Hebrew).
91x123 cm. Good condition. Light stains. Minor damage to lower corners. Hanging loops sewn on upper corners.
Literature: Jewish Carpets, by Anton Felton. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 1997. p. 86.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $700
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
A large pictorial rug, depicting the Exodus on eagles' wings, Moses and Aaron, the Western Wall and more.
Silk or cotton knot-pile; cotton foundation.
A central medallion shows the twelve emblems of the Twelve Tribes of Israel alongside twelve figures representing the tribes, two angels, the three patriarchs, the sacrifice of the paschal lamb, and Moses leading the Israelites across the Red Sea under the wings of an eagle. The outer edge of the medallion is inscribed with an erroneous version of the verse "I bear you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself" (Exodus 19:4), and the caption "The Exodus of Israel from Egypt", the name "Rachel Mendelson," and an additional, partly illegible inscription reading “And we have returned (?) Israel” (all in Hebrew). Surrounding the central medallion are images depicting Moses and Aaron, Moses striking the rock, the Israelites worshipping the Golden Calf and the Western Wall.
The source of the rug is unknown, however it possibly is the handiwork of Jewish Yemenite immigrants to Israel.
199x123 cm. Fair condition. Wear and tear to the pile. Much unraveling to the edges. Tears and some losses to the fringe. Loops sewn on upper edge verso.
Literature: Jewish Carpets, by Anton Felton. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 1997. p. 128.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.
Silk or cotton knot-pile; cotton foundation.
A central medallion shows the twelve emblems of the Twelve Tribes of Israel alongside twelve figures representing the tribes, two angels, the three patriarchs, the sacrifice of the paschal lamb, and Moses leading the Israelites across the Red Sea under the wings of an eagle. The outer edge of the medallion is inscribed with an erroneous version of the verse "I bear you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself" (Exodus 19:4), and the caption "The Exodus of Israel from Egypt", the name "Rachel Mendelson," and an additional, partly illegible inscription reading “And we have returned (?) Israel” (all in Hebrew). Surrounding the central medallion are images depicting Moses and Aaron, Moses striking the rock, the Israelites worshipping the Golden Calf and the Western Wall.
The source of the rug is unknown, however it possibly is the handiwork of Jewish Yemenite immigrants to Israel.
199x123 cm. Fair condition. Wear and tear to the pile. Much unraveling to the edges. Tears and some losses to the fringe. Loops sewn on upper edge verso.
Literature: Jewish Carpets, by Anton Felton. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 1997. p. 128.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Objects
Catalogue