Auction No. 098
Holy books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical & Admors letters, Americana & Judiaca
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A cloth made of colored woolen threads in mechanical weaving work. In the center are the Tablets of the Covenant and a royal crown, surrounded by colored geometrical decorations, the figures of Moshe and Aharon, the Cave of the Patriarchs and Rachel's Tomb, and a Star of David with the words 'Chevrat Ohavei Zion' and "If I forget thee Jerusalem may my right hand forget its skill". The crescent motif common in works from the Ottoman Empire is appears here several times in varying sizes.
Specifications: 160x160 cm. Colored decorative threads at the edges.
Unique Features: Some of the decorations and writing also appear in mirror writing. A similar cloth is found in the Israel Museum.
Condition: Very fine. A tiny hole. Slight stains.
Colorful, silk Persian carpet, hand woven by an artisan.
Description: 75x55 cm. The carpet depicts the image of Moses holding his staff in his right hand and the Decalogue in his left hand. The upper section, above the Decalogue, features a colored crown, titled with Hebrew letters "keter" [crown]. A velvet piece of cloth with a dedication in memory of a deceased person is attached to its bottom section.
Refer to additional samples in Jewish Carpets by Anton Felton.
Unique features: Above the Decalogue is an early Israeli flag, with two parallel light-blue stripes at the top and bottom and five Stars of David in a line at center. The light-blue color of the flag is very faded. The style of the flag confirms that this carpet was made before the establishment of the State of Israel.
Condition: Fine. Very light blemishes in a number of locations. Some of the colors are faded.
A large parochet (curtain) for an Aron Kodesh (Holy Ark) decorated with decorations of plants and flowers in gilded threads.
Description: A large parochet, 178x110 cm.
Made of red cloth adorned in gilded metal threads with edges also decorated very delicately and closely together. Part of a red velvet mantel for a Torah scroll was sewed onto the center of the parochet, and written on it "Donated by Eliyahu Binyamin Calcutta". Dots on top of the letters show that the parochet, or perhaps only the mantel itself, was made in the year 1896.
Condition: Very fine.
A magnificent olive wood writing case decorated with carvings of the holy sites in the Land of Israel [Land of Israel, end of the 19th century].
Specifications: Width 37 cm. Length: 29 cm. Maximum height: 11.5 cm.
The writing case is composed of two parts: a writing box and a pencil box. In the pencil box: Storage compartments for specific items such as: a compartment for a brush and the original brush, a compartment for a stamp and a stamp with no embossing, and so on. The pencil box has a cover with a locking mechanism (the key is missing). On the lid of the pencil box are carvings of Rachel's Tomb, the Tower of David and floral decorations, surrounded by a border of tiny pieces of dark and light colored wood.The writing box has a sloping lid which opens out to become a padded writing surface, the inner part of the writing surface lifts up, revealing a large storage compartment. On the rear wall of the storage compartment are two small drawers hidden behind a removable wooden plate.
On the lid of the writing box is a carving of the Temple Mount (the Dome of the Rock) and floral decorations, surrounded by a border created by inlaying tiny pieces of different colored wood. At the bottom of the lid is the word JERUSALEM. On the top of the lid are the words 'Bezalel Jerusalem' (a number of letters are erased), in woodburning work. It seems that this was not done by Bezalel, and that the writing was added soon after the writing case was made.
Unique Features: There is carving on three sides of the writing case, on the right - the Cave of the Patriarchs with writing and floral decorations. On the left - the Western Wall with writing and floral decorations. Carvings of plants and flowers are on the front.
Condition: Fine. There is a width-wise crack on the lid of the writing box. Tiny lack in the front corner of the writing box's lid. Crack in the front right-hand corner of the writing case itself.
Brush and nail cleaner for purifying the deceased. Hallmarked silver: Maker's mark and Old-Wein hallmarks from 1861.
Description: The brush measures 9x13 cm. Rounded handle at top with a hole for inserting a chain. Nice engraving: "Donated to the chevra kadisha gemillut chassadim in Dobruska." The reverse features the engraved name of the donor: "Yaakov Pick Wolf Munk."
The nail cleaner is narrow and 15 cm. long. Small ring at its edge for inserting a chain. There are no engravings on this tool, however it bears the same silver marks that are on the brush, confirming that both pieces were made for the same purpose by the same artisan.
Background: Part of the process of purifying a dead body involves brushing its hairs. The last stage of the cleansing process is the removal of dirt from underneath the deceased's fingernails, which is accomplished with a special tool.
Dobruska is a village in Northeastern Bohemia, Czechoslovakia. Jews resided in the village beginning in the 16th century. The cemetery was first used in 1675 and was expanded in 1897. It includes a mass grave for Jewish soldiers who died during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866.
We've included information regarding this community.
Condition: Very fine.
A machzor for the entire year. For Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, Succot and Shemini Atzeret, according to the custom of the Italian communities. Part two. Venice, in the Vendramin printing press, with an ancient artistic leather binding with a silver border and buckles.
Specifications: [1] 274 leaves, 16.5 cm.
Unique Features: Original magnificent leather binding with gold embossing. A complete silver border on all sides of the binding. Two beautiful silver clasps with engraving (apparently not hallmarked).
A rare book, listed in the Hebrew Bibliography according to a copy from the library of the Italian Synagogue in Jerusalem (additional name, illustrated leaf before the title page).
Bound with: Tefillat Yesharim. Perek Shira and prayers, by Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh da Modena. Venice, 1754. Specifications: 18 leaves, 16.5 cm. Ownership inscriptions in Italian and Hebrew from 1825.
Condition: Very fine. A few aging stains. A small perforation on the spine.
Specifications: Length: 27 cm.
Description: Made of a long, narrow handle. Primitive engraving on two places on the handle: "Avraham Cabaleiru". On it bottom end is a simple ring to which the chain was attached (the chain is missing).
Condition: Fine. Remnants of gilt in several places.
Specifications: Torah Case: Height: 101 cm.; Diameter: 26 cm. Wood covered with green velvet with silver plates with designs of flowers and vegetation, and three chased and embossed silver belts. The top belt is designed like a crown that is decorated with a silver wreath integrated with red beads. Two finials at the top of the case (these are attached: There are another two removable finials). When the case is closed the finials connect into one larger finial, with a row of bells hanging from it. The interior of the finials have a engraved dedication (apparently referring exclusively to the finials): "Dedicated to the holy city, Tiberias." On the case itself there are texts decorated with flowers that are covered with glass. The right side features verses and the second side features a dedication from 1878. The interior of the case is covered with a floral cloth lining. Two clasps.
Finials: Pair of silver finials. Ball-shaped body, with eight chains with bells hanging from it, and a small ball on the bottom. The base of the finials end on a diagonal so that they sit firmly on the scroll. The top of the finials are shaped like hands (chamsa) with the three letters ש.ד.י. along with the dedication engraved in the center of the large ball "קדש לע"נ המ' חיים דוד בן אהרן תנצב"ה ש' תעו"ר". The finials are 19 cm. tall.
Torah Scroll: Vellish script (Sephardic) on gevil. The parchment is 51 cm. tall, with 55 lines per column.
It seems that the Torah Scroll was originally from Tunis, and was later placed into a case that stems from Iraq.
Condition of the Torah Scroll: The Scroll is complete. Corrections, light tears in some of the connections between the sheets. The kashrut status of this scroll has not been checked.
Condition of Case: The velvet cloth is rubbed and slightly torn (primarily where the Scroll was held and kissed), light loss to the middle silver belt, the nail for hanging the finial is detached.
Condition of finials: Missing one bell, and two bells are slightly broken.
Overall fine condition.
A wedding ring which the mashgiach Rabbi Wolbe inherited and gave to his wife the Rebbetzin.
Specifications: Weight: 7.7 grams. Diameter: 20 mm. Close to 24 carat.
Description: A gold plaque is welded onto the ring, on which is engraved: a book with the initials T.T. (in Hebrew) inside, a star of David, a harp with the initials HBS (in English) inside. The hallmark 980 and an engraving of the year 1902 and more (unidentifiable) are on the inner side of the ring.
Background: Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe (1914-2005), was one of the greatest Mashgichim of our times, the last remnant of the Mussar movement, the primary disciple of Rabbi Yerucham Leibowitz of Mir, whose approach he continued. He was married to Rivka, the daughter of Rabbi Avraham Grodzinski, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka. He established the Be'er Yaakov Yeshiva together with his friend Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Shapira. He later left the yeshiva and delivered mussar talks in various yeshivot. He was considered to be the "Elder of the mashgichim". His books are singled out for their clarity of thought and have become compulsory books for the study of Jewish philosophy. Many people flocked to him for advice and blessings.
Enclosed is confirmation from Rebbetzin Wolbe of the ring's originality.
A painting of a Yemenite scholar. With the signature of the artist Meir Gur-Aryeh, Jerusalem.
Specifications: Watercolor on paper. 21x27 cm. Frame dimensions: 34x29 cm.
Meir Gur-Aryeh (1891-1951), a painter and artist, one of the heads of Bezalel.
Condition: Very fine condition.
"Shivat Yamim Matzot Tochlu" - Seven days you shall eat matzah . Colored sketch for an advertisement.
Specifications: Watercolor on paper, shaped like a gate. 20x14 cm. Matted, 33x26 cm.
Content: Image of Moses holding the Decalogue (Luchot HaBrit) at center. Decalogue on the right and left. The right section bears the [Hebrew] text "Shivat Yamim Matzot Tochlu," with English translation on the left. This text replaces the Ten Commandments.
Unique features: Includes the name of the company that ordered the work: "Palestine Flour Mills Haifa." The stamp of Zeev Raban's workshop appears on the bottom of the work, concealed by the matting.
Condition: Very fine.
Specifications: Watercolors and pencil on paper. 39x49 cm. In a frame with passepartout, overall 76x66 cm.
Unique Features: A breathtaking border illustrated in great detail for an educational institution for children. The border is decorated with plants and flowers - with figures of children playing, playing instruments, working the ground and studying. Shades of brown, black and white. Raban signed his name Z. Raban in the center of the bottom part of the border.
Condition: Very fine. Slight tears and stains.