Decorated Sukkot plaque, by R. Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944). [Safed, late 19th or early 20th century].
Ink, watercolor and gouache on paper.
The prayer upon entering the Sukkah is artistically scribed in the center of the plaque, with the text for inviting the Ushpizin for each day of Sukkot beneath it in seven columns. Two additional prayers are scribed at the top of the plaque. The text is set in a stylized frame of pillars and arches. Headings in purple ink. Additional decorative border.
In his (Hebrew) book of memoirs, R. Yosef Zvi Geiger's grandson, Benjamin Geiger, speaks of his grandfather's sukkah and its unique decorations: "His sukkah was one of the most beautiful in town. Grandpa invested a great deal of effort in [preparing] the decorations, and this went on for many days prior to the holiday. Obviously, we, the grandchildren, were happy to join in the creative and decorative process […] Once the construction phase was completed, the [sukkah] walls would be covered in white and colored sheets, upon which we would hang hand-painted and illustrated plaques that Grandpa personally created every year anew. I especially remember the ‘Ushpizin' plaque which would marvel all observers. In addition, there were the illustrations of the holy sites – Rachel's Tomb and the Cave of the Patriarchs – as well as papercuts of animals and birds. The ceiling was the main attraction of our sukkah. It was covered with a layer of fragrant myrtle specially brought from Mt. Jarmak [Arabic name for Mt. Meron], and suspended from it were numerous decorations prepared by Grandpa […] Word of the beautiful sukkah of R. Yosel Todroses [Yosef Zvi Geiger] spread far and wide and many visitors arrived throughout the holiday to have a look. The grandchildren felt great pride in seeing and hearing the expressions of joy and wonder from all the visitors."
Inked stamp of R. Yosef Zvi Geiger's estate.
55X41.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Closed and open tears, mended on verso with paper. Sellotape repairs. Stains.
Reference: Benjamin Geiger, One of the Elders of Safed. Dapei Hayyim, Givatayim, 2011, p. 26.

R. Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944), native of Safed. One of the most prominent public figures in Safed. He served as general secretary of Safed's "Kollel" institutions, and his home was a regular meeting place for the "gabba'im" (managers) of the various local Kollelim and congregations. The Yishuv's foremost newspapers – including "Havatzelet, " "HaLevanon, " and "HaZefirah" – regularly published his articles. He also served as a scribe for the Kollelim, and assisted illiterate members of the community by writing letters on their behalf. Geiger was renowned in Safed for being both a gifted scribe and talented painter, entrusted with producing beautifully scripted documents. Among his extant works are splendid "Mizrah" and "Shiviti" plaques, calligraphic and illustrated title pages for "donors books, " certificates for donors and greeting letters, and papercuts in the Eastern European style. His contemporaries recall the beautiful "ketubahs" (marriage documents) he produced for the city's couples, decorated with gilt lettering and floral and vegetal designs; and the artworks he created to adorn the walls of the local synagogues, including gilt-lettered plaques. Among his many special talents was his ability to inscribe micrographic texts onto grains of wheat; he could fit several verses from the Bible onto a single grain. In the (Hebrew) book of memoirs by Yosef Zvi's grandson, Benjamin Geiger, entitled "One of the Elders of Safed, " Benjamin writes that his grandfather also specialized in engraving in stone (and inscribed several headstones in Safed). Benjamin also relates that R. Yosef Zvi was a lover and champion of the Hebrew language, and in his efforts to promote the language he would put up posters with words in Hebrew on the walls of study rooms and yeshivas throughout the town, so that children would get to know these words. He personally taught the language to his children and grandchildren, ensuring they would become entirely fluent.

PLEASE NOTE: Item description was shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.

Hand-painted papercut, created by R. Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944). [Safed], 1903/1904.
Square papercut, composed of a large, golden Star of David, with a vase of roses at the center. Four birds in the corners.
Dated on verso.

23.5X20.5 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes. Minor tears, primarily to corners. Some loss. Stains and pinholes. Mended with paper on verso.

The art of papercutting is perhaps the most quintessential type of European Jewish folk art. Eastern European Jewish papercuts assumed many different forms and exhibited a wealth of themes and motifs, to fit a wide range of purposes. They were used as "Mizrah" and "Shiviti" plaques; "Yahrzeit" plaques; "Shir HaMa'alot" plaques (Psalm 121) believed to give protection to childbearing mothers and newborns; "roizalakh" (rose-shaped ornaments) to decorate the household during the Shavu'ot holiday; "Ushpizin" plaques for the Sukkot holiday; and other forms of items.

R. Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944), native of Safed. One of the most prominent public figures in Safed. He served as general secretary of Safed's "Kollel" institutions, and his home was a regular meeting place for the "gabba'im" (managers) of the various local Kollelim and congregations. The Yishuv's foremost newspapers – including "Havatzelet, " "HaLevanon, " and "HaZefirah" – regularly published his articles. He also served as a scribe for the Kollelim, and assisted illiterate members of the community by writing letters on their behalf. Geiger was renowned in Safed for being both a gifted scribe and talented painter, entrusted with producing beautifully scripted documents. Among his extant works are splendid "Mizrah" and "Shiviti" plaques, calligraphic and illustrated title pages for "donors books, " certificates for donors and greeting letters, and papercuts in the Eastern European style. His contemporaries recall the beautiful "ketubahs" (marriage documents) he produced for the city's couples, decorated with gilt lettering and floral and vegetal designs; and the artworks he created to adorn the walls of the local synagogues, including gilt-lettered plaques. Among his many special talents was his ability to inscribe micrographic texts onto grains of wheat; he could fit several verses from the Bible onto a single grain. In the (Hebrew) book of memoirs by Yosef Zvi's grandson, Benjamin Geiger, entitled "One of the Elders of Safed, " Benjamin writes that his grandfather also specialized in engraving in stone (and inscribed several headstones in Safed). Benjamin also relates that R. Yosef Zvi was a lover and champion of the Hebrew language, and in his efforts to promote the language he would put up posters with words in Hebrew on the walls of study rooms and yeshivas throughout the town, so that children would get to know these words. He personally taught the language to his children and grandchildren, ensuring they would become entirely fluent.

PLEASE NOTE: Item description was shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.