Three "Srulik" figurines and a table lamp decorated with his image. Israel, [1950s].
Srulik, the figure of the young native Israeli, was first created in 1951, by the caricaturist Dosh (Kariel Gardosh), and soon became the almost universal symbol of the young State of Israel.
1-3. Three ceramic figurines of "Srulik", produced by "Lapid". [1950s]. The three figurines depict Srulik sitting, his knees hugged to his chest and his head leaning on his hand. One figurine is not painted at all; the hat and sandals of the second are painted brown and those of the third are painted blue. A menorah and the inscriptions "Israel" (Hebrew and English) are painted on two of the figurines' backs.
Height: Approx. 16 cm. Good condition. One of the figurines is signed on its base "Dosh".
3. A table lamp with the image of "Srulik", for the 10th anniversary of the State of Israel. 1958.
A brass lamp. The base is shaped like a map of Israel with Srulik standing on it; on the pocket of his shirt appears the digits "10". The body of the lamp is shaped as a street light with four glass panels, on one of which appears the symbol of the tenth anniversary of the State of Israel.
Approx. 26X8X18.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Blemishes to paint.
Provenance: The Rimon Family Collection.

Gunpowder container with a Hebrew engraving. [Persia, 18th century].
A horn-shaped steel container with a retractable opening mechanism and two loops for attaching a carrying strap.
On the body of the container are engraved Hebrew verses from the books of Exodus and Zechariah: "The Lord is a man of war, The Lord is His name / The Lord will fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace / And the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day / shall the Lord be One".
Approx. 8X9 cm. Minor blemishes.
For a similar container, see: A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times, by George Cameron Stone. p. 516, item no. 5.

A pictorial rug depicting a seven-branch candelabra on a background of the Jerusalem skyline, made by Bezalel. Jerusalem, [between 1906 and 1908].
Wool knot-pile on cotton foundation.
An early Bezalel rug. The central panel depicts a candelabra with intertwined branches, flanked by two identical half-hidden candelabras. Behind the candelabra appears a fictional Jerusalem skyline, with inscriptions (in Hebrew) reading ‘David's Citadel’ and ’Temple Mount’ at the bottom, within the candelabra's base. The border contains a repetitive pattern of the word Zion. Inscribed ‘Bezalel, Jerusalem’ (in Hebrew) inside an additional inner border along the bottom.
45.5X168.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Some stains, damage and fading to the colors. Edges trimmed. Repairs to the carpet body and along the edges. Suspension strap sewn close to upper edge, on verso.
Literature:
1. Jewish Carpets, by Anton Felton. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 1997, p. 96.
2. A Collector’s Guide to Judaica, by Jay Weinstein. London: Thames & Hudson, 1995, p. 168, illustration no. 221.
3. HALI Magazine, Issue 92, May-June 1997, p. 108.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.
Exhibited: Bezalel 1906-1929, December 1982-June 1983, Israel Museum, Jerusalem. (Item no. 1 in the exhibition catalog index, p. 9.)

A small pictorial rug depicting Herzl's Cedar, made by Bezalel. Jerusalem, [between 1906 and 1914].
Wool knot-pile on cotton foundation.
The central panel depicts the cypress tree planted by Theodor Herzl in the colony of Motza during his visit to Palestine in 1898. (The tree is erroneously thought to be a cedar; thus the name ‘Herzl’s Cedar’). The tree is shown on a background of barren hills, growing out of a mound of stones. Inscribed at the bottom ‘Herzl's Cedar’ (in Hebrew), as well as ‘Bezalel, Jerusalem’ (in Hebrew) within the top and bottom borders.
60X82.5 cm. Good condition. Several minor repairs. Fringe partly lacking and worn. Suspension strap sewn along upper edge, on verso.
Literature:
1. Jewish Carpets, by Anton Felton. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 1997, p. 101.
2. HALI Magazine, Issue 92, May-June 1997, p. 108.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.

A pictorial rug decorated with the Tablets of the Law and the figures of Elijah the Prophet, Moses, Aaron the Priest and Abraham. [Tabriz (Iran), 1960s.]
Silk and wool knot-pile on silk foundation.
The design displays three arches; within each are two scenes, one above the other, separated by horizontal bands containing inscriptions and verses. The apex of the central arch shows a sun with the words ‘Keter Torah’ in its center, below which appears the inscription ‘Shiviti HaShem LeNegdi Tamid.’ Beneath the sun is an image depicting the Tablets of the Law with cherubs on either side, and a long inscription opening with the words ‘Da Lifney Mi Atah Omed’ [Know Before Whom You Stand] and continuing with verses from the Book of Deuteronomy. The bottom central image shows Elijah the prophet rising to heaven in a chariot of fire. The arch on the right shows Moses drawing water from the rock and Moses with the Tablets of the Law. The arch on the left depicts the Binding of Isaac and Aaron lighting the Menorah. Round medallions showing the symbols of the Twelve Tribes of Israel are set in the crowns of the arches (with the symbols of the Tribes of Zevulun and Gad replaced by the flag of Israel).
150X162 cm. Good condition. Minor stains. Some torn and missing fringes. Suspension straps sewn to the margins on verso. Suspension rings on verso.
Literature: Jewish Carpets, by Anton Felton. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 1997, p. 67.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.