Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
Displaying 1 - 12 of 14
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $400
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
The Binding of Isaac, wood relief. [Holland, 16th century].
The relief depicts Abraham raising a sword to slaughter Isaac. The angel above them stops the sword with its hand and points at the ram caught in the thicket to replace Isaac as the sacrifice. Isaac is seen crouching on the altar (not bound to it).
31X36 cm. Good condition. Chipping and losses. In an original wooden frame.
The relief depicts Abraham raising a sword to slaughter Isaac. The angel above them stops the sword with its hand and points at the ram caught in the thicket to replace Isaac as the sacrifice. Isaac is seen crouching on the altar (not bound to it).
31X36 cm. Good condition. Chipping and losses. In an original wooden frame.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Various Objects
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $500
Unsold
The Binding of Isaac, wood relief. [Italy, 16th century].
The relief depicts the burly Abraham raising a sword to slaughter Isaac. The angel above them stops the sword with its hand and points at the ram caught in the thicket to replace Isaac as the sacrifice. Isaac is seen crouching on the altar (not bound to it). On the left, the servants are seen sitting with the donkey.
53X63 cm. Good condition. Chipping and some losses to wood.
The relief depicts the burly Abraham raising a sword to slaughter Isaac. The angel above them stops the sword with its hand and points at the ram caught in the thicket to replace Isaac as the sacrifice. Isaac is seen crouching on the altar (not bound to it). On the left, the servants are seen sitting with the donkey.
53X63 cm. Good condition. Chipping and some losses to wood.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Various Objects
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $400
Unsold
An embroidery depicting lions, a Star of David, a Torah crown and the verse "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" (Hebrew). [Germany], 1890.
Canvas, wool thread and glass bead Gobelin embroidery.
Gobelin embroidery with red wool thread, depicting a pair of lions supporting a Star of David containing the Tablets of the Law. Surmounted by inscription: "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy", divided in two by a Torah crown.
Monogrammed on bottom "AW", and dated 5651 (Hebrew year) and 1890.
A similar embroidery that served as a Hallah cover is kept in the Israel Museum collection. Item no. B50.02.1683;160/004.
54.5X44 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes. Threads and a few beads missing in several places. Stains. Blemishes to edges of embroidery. Framed. Damage and fractures to frame.
Canvas, wool thread and glass bead Gobelin embroidery.
Gobelin embroidery with red wool thread, depicting a pair of lions supporting a Star of David containing the Tablets of the Law. Surmounted by inscription: "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy", divided in two by a Torah crown.
Monogrammed on bottom "AW", and dated 5651 (Hebrew year) and 1890.
A similar embroidery that served as a Hallah cover is kept in the Israel Museum collection. Item no. B50.02.1683;160/004.
54.5X44 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes. Threads and a few beads missing in several places. Stains. Blemishes to edges of embroidery. Framed. Damage and fractures to frame.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Various Objects
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $500
Unsold
Large charity box with the riveted Hebrew inscription "'ח'ק" [Chevra Kadisha]. [Central Europe? 19th century or early 20th century].
Bent iron; rivets; wood.
A large box with double locking mechanism and two keys, supported by two elegant legs. Stylized rosette and border to front. The Hebrew letters "'ח'ק" [Chevra Kadisha] are affixed to the lid of the box, on both sides of the coin slot. The box is affixed to a wooden board, presumably taken from the wall on which it was placed.
To better safeguard public funds, charity boxes and the like were fitted with two different keys, each entrusted to a different warden.
12X19X23 cm, affixed to a 17X25 cm piece of wood. Good-fair condition. Bends. Minor blemishes. Rust. One key is bent. One lock mechanism broken. The wood is old and damaged.
Bent iron; rivets; wood.
A large box with double locking mechanism and two keys, supported by two elegant legs. Stylized rosette and border to front. The Hebrew letters "'ח'ק" [Chevra Kadisha] are affixed to the lid of the box, on both sides of the coin slot. The box is affixed to a wooden board, presumably taken from the wall on which it was placed.
To better safeguard public funds, charity boxes and the like were fitted with two different keys, each entrusted to a different warden.
12X19X23 cm, affixed to a 17X25 cm piece of wood. Good-fair condition. Bends. Minor blemishes. Rust. One key is bent. One lock mechanism broken. The wood is old and damaged.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Various Objects
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $1,063
Including buyer's premium
Torah shield, decorated with the Tablets of the Law and the figures of Moses and Aaron. [Germany, 20th century].
Silver (marked "835"), repoussé, stamped and engraved.
In the center are the Tablets of the Law with the words of the Ten Commandments, flanked by Moses, holding the staff, and Aaron, in High Priest garb. Background with shields, shells, symmetrical and foliate patterns.
34X42 cm. Good condition. Minor bends. Stains.
Literature: Crowning Glory, by Rafi Grafman. New-York: The Jewish Museum, 1996. p. 99.
Silver (marked "835"), repoussé, stamped and engraved.
In the center are the Tablets of the Law with the words of the Ten Commandments, flanked by Moses, holding the staff, and Aaron, in High Priest garb. Background with shields, shells, symmetrical and foliate patterns.
34X42 cm. Good condition. Minor bends. Stains.
Literature: Crowning Glory, by Rafi Grafman. New-York: The Jewish Museum, 1996. p. 99.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Various Objects
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $400
Including buyer's premium
Two hanging Sabbath lamps ("Judenstern"). [Germany, 19th or 20th century].
1. Copper and bronze, cast, soldered and pierced.
Baluster-shaped shaft over an eight-spout wick holder. Adjustable suspension bar.
Total length: approx. 88 cm. Production defects. Welding repairs.
2. Brass, cast and turned.
Column shaft over a six-spout wick holder. Connector brackets and hollow screws inside each spout (possibly as part of past electric wiring).
Total length: approx. 125 cm. Good condition. Minor damage. Adjustable suspension bar presumably supplemented from a different lamp.
1. Copper and bronze, cast, soldered and pierced.
Baluster-shaped shaft over an eight-spout wick holder. Adjustable suspension bar.
Total length: approx. 88 cm. Production defects. Welding repairs.
2. Brass, cast and turned.
Column shaft over a six-spout wick holder. Connector brackets and hollow screws inside each spout (possibly as part of past electric wiring).
Total length: approx. 125 cm. Good condition. Minor damage. Adjustable suspension bar presumably supplemented from a different lamp.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Various Objects
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $200
Sold for: $500
Including buyer's premium
Synagogue memorial lamp (Kas des-S'il). [Morroco], 1947.
Silver, cast, pierced, soldered, engraved and hammered; rivets; brass, cast.
Synagogue memorial lamp made of a silver ring with memorial inscription, on stylized chains, hung from a stepped dome.
The ring is pierced and engraved with two memorial inscriptions, in memory of Abraham Karsenti (Av 1947).
Such lamps, in which glass oil cups were placed, were donated to synagogues for the ascent of men's souls on the first anniversary of the person's death, until which they were lit on Sabbaths and Jewish holidays at the house of the deceased.
Total length: approx. 80 cm. Good condition. Bends. Minor damage. A hamsa hook may have been attached at top, now missing. Without glass oil cup.
Silver, cast, pierced, soldered, engraved and hammered; rivets; brass, cast.
Synagogue memorial lamp made of a silver ring with memorial inscription, on stylized chains, hung from a stepped dome.
The ring is pierced and engraved with two memorial inscriptions, in memory of Abraham Karsenti (Av 1947).
Such lamps, in which glass oil cups were placed, were donated to synagogues for the ascent of men's souls on the first anniversary of the person's death, until which they were lit on Sabbaths and Jewish holidays at the house of the deceased.
Total length: approx. 80 cm. Good condition. Bends. Minor damage. A hamsa hook may have been attached at top, now missing. Without glass oil cup.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Various Objects
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $813
Including buyer's premium
Decorated mezuzah cover from the house of the woman Rovida Alkobi. [Morocco, late 19th century to mid-20th century].
Low-grade silver, pierced and engraved; cloth and cardboard.
A silver shield-shaped mezuzah cover, pierced and engraved with palmettes and scrolling foliage. The divine name "Shadai" and the name "Rovida Alkobi" are engraved on top. The name Rovida, short for Orovida, is a Judeo-Spanish name meaning "golden life".
Elaborate mezuzah covers were of the most important religious artifacts in Jewish households in Morocco, and unlike other artifacts, were considered "feminine" objects, bearing the name of the lady of the household. The covers were usually embroidered goldwork on velvet in vibrant colors; some were made of silver and backed with velvet. Most of the silver mezuzah covers most probably originate from the mellah of Fez, which was home to many silversmiths who worked in this style. Similar silverwork is typical of Moroccan Hanukkah lamps, prayers shawl (tallit) bags and phylacteries (tefillin) bags.
The Mezuzah cover was often made for the bride's dowry, but in some cases the need for it arose only later; at first, the young couple would live with the husband's parents and only when children were born and the family moved to a more spacious house would a new mezuzah cover be made. Since Jewish houses in Morocco (like Muslim houses) were closed off for reasons of modesty and safety, and due to the value of the silver mezuzah covers, they were not hung on the door facing the street but rather inside the house, often at the entrance to the living room. Thus, the Mezuzah symbolized the central place of the wife and mother as the supporting pillar of the family, in the spirit of the Mishnaic saying "his house is his wife".
This mezuzah cover is documented in the Bezalel Narkiss Index of Jewish Art, item no. 7262.
18X26.5 cm. Good condition. A suspension loop on top. Bends. On a new cardboard base covered with fabric.
Literature: The Mezuzah Cover: A Special Artistic Ritual Object in the Life of the Jewish Woman in the Moroccan Cities, by Shalom Sabar (Hebrew). In Yahadut Marocco, January-June 2016, Issue 3, pp. 48-53.
Low-grade silver, pierced and engraved; cloth and cardboard.
A silver shield-shaped mezuzah cover, pierced and engraved with palmettes and scrolling foliage. The divine name "Shadai" and the name "Rovida Alkobi" are engraved on top. The name Rovida, short for Orovida, is a Judeo-Spanish name meaning "golden life".
Elaborate mezuzah covers were of the most important religious artifacts in Jewish households in Morocco, and unlike other artifacts, were considered "feminine" objects, bearing the name of the lady of the household. The covers were usually embroidered goldwork on velvet in vibrant colors; some were made of silver and backed with velvet. Most of the silver mezuzah covers most probably originate from the mellah of Fez, which was home to many silversmiths who worked in this style. Similar silverwork is typical of Moroccan Hanukkah lamps, prayers shawl (tallit) bags and phylacteries (tefillin) bags.
The Mezuzah cover was often made for the bride's dowry, but in some cases the need for it arose only later; at first, the young couple would live with the husband's parents and only when children were born and the family moved to a more spacious house would a new mezuzah cover be made. Since Jewish houses in Morocco (like Muslim houses) were closed off for reasons of modesty and safety, and due to the value of the silver mezuzah covers, they were not hung on the door facing the street but rather inside the house, often at the entrance to the living room. Thus, the Mezuzah symbolized the central place of the wife and mother as the supporting pillar of the family, in the spirit of the Mishnaic saying "his house is his wife".
This mezuzah cover is documented in the Bezalel Narkiss Index of Jewish Art, item no. 7262.
18X26.5 cm. Good condition. A suspension loop on top. Bends. On a new cardboard base covered with fabric.
Literature: The Mezuzah Cover: A Special Artistic Ritual Object in the Life of the Jewish Woman in the Moroccan Cities, by Shalom Sabar (Hebrew). In Yahadut Marocco, January-June 2016, Issue 3, pp. 48-53.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Various Objects
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $475
Including buyer's premium
Cigarette case depicting the Bronze Horseman statue in Saint Petersburg. Russia, 19th century. Engraved "Mordechai Shmuel Ben Milkah" (Hebrew); dedication from 1920/1921.
Engraved silver (marked); niello.
The case depicts the Bronze Horseman, the St. Petersburg statue of Peter the Great standing in the Senate square on the left bank of the Bolshaya Neva, framed by niello-work foliate pattern.
The owner's name, "Mordechai Shmuel Ben Milkah", is engraved in Hebrew on the side of the case. Engraved Hebrew year, 5681 [1920/1921], in a cartouche on verso.
7.5X12 cm. Good condition. Several scratches and wear. Cloth and leather lining worn and fraying at edges.
Engraved silver (marked); niello.
The case depicts the Bronze Horseman, the St. Petersburg statue of Peter the Great standing in the Senate square on the left bank of the Bolshaya Neva, framed by niello-work foliate pattern.
The owner's name, "Mordechai Shmuel Ben Milkah", is engraved in Hebrew on the side of the case. Engraved Hebrew year, 5681 [1920/1921], in a cartouche on verso.
7.5X12 cm. Good condition. Several scratches and wear. Cloth and leather lining worn and fraying at edges.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Various Objects
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
The Light of Youth, [1937], a painting by Maurice Sochachewsky (1918-1969).
Oil on canvas. Signed.
The painting depicts Jack Johnson, a young miner from the city of Talywain in Wales.
Maurice Sochachewsky (1918-1969), born in East London, England, studied at St. Martin's School of Art. In ca. 1937, he lived for eight months in the mining town of Talywain in Wales, documenting the miners' lives and hard lot. During World War II, he served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and was wounded during the Battle of Normandy. In 1949, shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel, Sochachewsky visited Israel, sketching its views. He illustrated several Yiddish publications published in Britain in the 1940s. Several of his works are exhibited in the Ben Uri Gallery.
Approx. 83X48 cm. Fair-poor condition. Blemishes to paint. Tears in the center of the canvas. An open tear. The canvas is torn along the frame and is detached from its margins; part of the margins are missing. Framed.
Provenance: the Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Margulies Collection.
Oil on canvas. Signed.
The painting depicts Jack Johnson, a young miner from the city of Talywain in Wales.
Maurice Sochachewsky (1918-1969), born in East London, England, studied at St. Martin's School of Art. In ca. 1937, he lived for eight months in the mining town of Talywain in Wales, documenting the miners' lives and hard lot. During World War II, he served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and was wounded during the Battle of Normandy. In 1949, shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel, Sochachewsky visited Israel, sketching its views. He illustrated several Yiddish publications published in Britain in the 1940s. Several of his works are exhibited in the Ben Uri Gallery.
Approx. 83X48 cm. Fair-poor condition. Blemishes to paint. Tears in the center of the canvas. An open tear. The canvas is torn along the frame and is detached from its margins; part of the margins are missing. Framed.
Provenance: the Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Margulies Collection.
Category
Art
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $2,500
Sold for: $4,750
Including buyer's premium
22 karat gold medal designed by Marc Chagall. Struck by Argor, Switzerland. Israel, 1979.
Obverse: a work by Marc Chagall, made especially for this medal as a donation to the "Korat Gag" enterprise initiated by Prime Minister Menachem Begin's office and designed to assist young couples to buy an apartment. Seen on the right is Moses, with the Tablets of the Law in his hands, behind a five-branched Menorah. To the left is Jerusalem with overhanging flowering branch. Legend: "For a light of the nations" (Isaiah 42, 6). Signed "Marc Chagall" in Hebrew and English and dated 1978.
Reverse: verse from Isaiah (from which the medal's title was taken): "I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the nations", in Hebrew and English. This side dated 5739 and 1979. Legend indicating place of issue, Jerusalem, in Hebrew and English. Additional legend: "Peace" in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
The medal is placed in an acrylic glass case originally enclosed with it.
Diameter: 60 mm. Good condition.
Obverse: a work by Marc Chagall, made especially for this medal as a donation to the "Korat Gag" enterprise initiated by Prime Minister Menachem Begin's office and designed to assist young couples to buy an apartment. Seen on the right is Moses, with the Tablets of the Law in his hands, behind a five-branched Menorah. To the left is Jerusalem with overhanging flowering branch. Legend: "For a light of the nations" (Isaiah 42, 6). Signed "Marc Chagall" in Hebrew and English and dated 1978.
Reverse: verse from Isaiah (from which the medal's title was taken): "I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the nations", in Hebrew and English. This side dated 5739 and 1979. Legend indicating place of issue, Jerusalem, in Hebrew and English. Additional legend: "Peace" in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
The medal is placed in an acrylic glass case originally enclosed with it.
Diameter: 60 mm. Good condition.
Category
Art
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $200
Sold for: $275
Including buyer's premium
Great is Peace, Fragments of an Ancient Talmudic Tractate, translated by Daniel Sperber. Five prints by Gerson Lieber. New York: Oil Creek Press, 1997. English.
Five excerpts on the subject of peace from the Derech Eretz Zuta tractate: Peace between Individuals, Israel's peace, Global peace, Cosmic peace and Peace of Jerusalem. Accompanied by five prints by Gerson Leiber, all signed in pencil.
A bibliophile edition, printed on thick paper and hand-bound. Copy no. 11 of 50.
Gerson Leiber (1912-2018) was a Jewish American painter, sculptor and lithographer. His works were exhibited in more than 200 exhibitions and in a variety of museums and galleries in the USA and worldwide.
[8] leaves + [5] plates, approx. 25.5 cm. good condition. Stains to margins of leaves and to binding (mostly minor).
Not in OCLC.
See items 91-92.
Five excerpts on the subject of peace from the Derech Eretz Zuta tractate: Peace between Individuals, Israel's peace, Global peace, Cosmic peace and Peace of Jerusalem. Accompanied by five prints by Gerson Leiber, all signed in pencil.
A bibliophile edition, printed on thick paper and hand-bound. Copy no. 11 of 50.
Gerson Leiber (1912-2018) was a Jewish American painter, sculptor and lithographer. His works were exhibited in more than 200 exhibitions and in a variety of museums and galleries in the USA and worldwide.
[8] leaves + [5] plates, approx. 25.5 cm. good condition. Stains to margins of leaves and to binding (mostly minor).
Not in OCLC.
See items 91-92.
Category
Art
Catalogue