Alms Box – Jewish Hospital and Old Age Home, Amsterdam – 1919

Alms Box – Jewish Hospital and Old Age Home, Amsterdam – 1919
Alms box for collection of charity on behalf of the Jewish Hospital and Old Age home of Amsterdam, designed by Mirjam Rosa Jacobson (1887-1945). Amsterdam, 1919.
Copper, repoussé. Marked "M.R. Jacobson 19."
Box divided into two compartments, each with its own hinged lid, but only one of the two lids has a coin slot, and perforated holes to allow for installation of a lock (missing). One side of box with relief depicting elderly man and woman. Their profiles are separated by an arched gate. Dutch inscription: "N. ISR. ZIEKENHIUS / OUDE MANNEN-VROUWENHUIS" [The Dutch Jewish Hospital / Old Age Home]. On opposite side, depiction (also in relief) of nurse caring for hospital patient. Underneath, the inscription: "N. ISR. ZIEKENHIUS" [The Dutch Jewish Hospital]. Marked in relief. Bottom stamped "B" and "2031".
The hospital and old age home of the Ashkenazi community of Amsterdam were founded in 1833. For many years, the two institutions operated from two separate wings of the same building.
Mirjam Rosa Jacobson (1887-1945), painter and printmaker, studied at the National School for Arts and Crafts and at the State Academy of Fine Arts, both in Amsterdam. Was active as a painter, graphic designer, and art teacher. She and her husband had planned to immigrate to Honduras, but were imprisoned at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where they perished.
Height: 9.5 cm. Width: 13.5 cm. Depth: 7 cm. Minor blemishes. No lock.