Model of the Tabernacle, Assembly Kit - England, 1903

Model of the Tabernacle, Assembly Kit - England, 1903
Model of the Tabernacle by Maud A. Duthoit. London: Rudd & Co., [ca. 1903]. English.
Large assembly kit of a model of the Tabernacle, placed in a cardboard box. The kit includes the actual structure of the Tabernacle, made of golden cardboard, a roll of oil-painted fabric serving as the ground of the Tabernacle courtyard, sheets of colored paper representing the Tabernacle curtains, wire hooks symbolizing the ropes anchoring the courtyard hangings, a cardboard fence surrounding the Tabernacle, with debossed pillars, miniature metal and paper models of the Candelabra, Ark of the Covenant, Altar of Incense, Altar of Burnt-Offerings, Table of Showbread, Laver and High Priest wearing his vestments. The kit is accompanied by a booklet describing the structure of the Tabernacle and its utensils, "Handbook to accompany the Model of the Tabernacle", concluding with a folding plate of diagrams illustrating the supposed method of setting up the Tabernacle. The box containing the kit bears a label with an illustration of the Tabernacle and its furniture, in color.
Eretz Israel, its history and antiquities, was a source of wonder to 19th century Victorian England. As the cradle of the Bible and Christianity, as well as a political crossroad of interests whose significance became increasingly evident to the various powers, Eretz Israel became a religious and scientific focal point, and consequently, the focus of touristic and artistic interest as well. For those who could not visit the Holy Land, a privilege enjoyed by the wealthy class only, the Holy Land came to the British Isles; at first through drawings, maps, prints and even photographs, and later with models and panoramas exhibited in the main cities. In the middle of the century, smaller models, for display in private homes, became popular. Some represented present-day Jerusalem, while others attempted to portray the city as it appeared in the time of the Temple. This model, produced as an educational tool for imparting Biblical knowledge, well reflects the spirit of the times.
Box: 53X14.5 cm. Base: 86X50.5 cm. Booklet: 16 pages, [1] plate. 18 cm. Overall fair-good condition. Damage to assembly parts. Box in poor condition, worn and stained. Many tears to box.