Auction 79 - Judaica from the Finkelstein Family Collection

Yom Kippur Belt Buckle – Poland, 19th Century

Opening: $4,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $6,000
Sold for: $5,000
Including buyer's premium
Yom Kippur belt buckle. [Probably Poland, 19th century].
Silver (unmarked), cast and engraved; chased.
Rectangular belt buckle, slightly convex, with left and right edges scalloped. Decorated with vegetal patterns and pair of rampant lions supporting a shield engraved with the verse "For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you; from all your sins shall you be clean before the Lord" (Leviticus 16:30).
On the Day of Atonement, worshippers customarily wear a particular type of sash in order to tighten the middle of the special white prayer robe worn on the occasion, known as the "kitel." The buckle to this sash would typically be decorated with images of lions, or with a depiction of the Binding of Isaac.
Height: 5.3 cm. Width: 10.5 cm.