Signet ring made of a mixture of bronze and tin for wax, with the inscription ‘Yeshaya son of Avraham z”l, ‘ with two fish facing opposite directions, symbolizing the tribe of Levi. Poland-Germany, c. early 17th century.
This name is familiar as one of the great rabbinic leaders of the generations, Rabbi Yeshayah HaLevi son of R’ Avraham Horowitz, author of the book
Shnei Luchot HaBrit , known over the generations by the moniker ‘HaShla”h HaKadosh.’
The Shla”h was known to sign his name using the abbreviation Yeshaya [ישעי] and not Yeshayah [ישעיה], and this is how the name appears on this seal.
It is interesting to see that at the center of the seal there are two fish, symbolizing the seal’s owner’s status as a member of the tribe of Levi. Refer to
Kiryat Sefer , year 16 p. 387 by researcher Yeshayah Zanah.
This type of seal was made for people of high rank or wealthy individuals who needed a personal wax seal.
The grouping of these four signs: The name of the owner of the seal, the symbol, the place and the period of the seal, brings us to the exciting conjecture that this may be the personal seal of the Shl”ah HaKadosh.
Weight: 6.6 grams. Diameter 18-20 mm.
Fine condition. Aging stains. Remnant of red wax.