Auction 11
Rare Hebrew Books & Manuscripts, Rabbinic Letters and Judaica
By Taj Art
Contact auction house
Dec 24, 2023
Jerusalem, Israel
The auction has ended
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LOT 123:
A Rare Hand-Illustrated 'Mizrach' on Paper, Bearing the Royal French Coat of Arms. Germany or Alsace, first half of ...
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Sold for: $2,400
Start price:
$
1,000
Estimated price :
$3,000 - $5,000
Buyer's Premium: 25%
More details
VAT: 17%
On commission only
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A Rare Hand-Illustrated 'Mizrach' on Paper, Bearing the Royal French Coat of Arms. Germany or Alsace, first half of the 19th C.
A lovely and rare decorated Mizrach, painted on paper, made for the home, synagogue or sukkah to indicate the proper direction of prayer towards Jerusalem.
Mizrachim often include the biblical verse "From the rising (mi-mizrach) of the sun until the going down thereof, the Lord's name is to be praised" (Psalms 113:3) and, as in the present Mizrach, the inscription "From this side the Source of Life" - the four initial letters of which spell out the word MiZRaCH.
The lovely piece before us is made on paper and illustrated by the hand of a talented folk artist. In its center the word "Mizrach" appears in large letters, topped by a monumental royal cartouche, crowned on its top, and holding three fleurs de lis in its center.
This magnificent coat of arms is that of the Royal House of Bourbon, who regained control of the French Monarchy from Napoleon Bonarparte in 1814.
Jewish artworks and ceremonial objects are known to include national symbols, an expression of their connection and loyalty to the governing body.
On either side of the Mizrach are drawn the prominent and regal figures of Moses and Aaron. Beneath the word 'Mizrach" are two lions flanking a gold Menorah. Under the figure of Moses is inscsribed in Hebrew "Moshe Rab[benu]", and under Aaron "Aharon [Ha]Cohen".
An almost identical Mizrach from the Magnes Family Collection, made in Germany in the second half of the 18th century, is on display in the Magnes Museum. The colorful hand-painted 'Mizrach' before us is likely based on this example and was made a few decades later.
A rare decorative piece, bearing the coat of arms of the French Monarchy - the Royal House of Bourbon - hand-painted by a Jewish folk artist in the first half of the 19th century.
| Measurement: | 28.5 x 21 cm |
| Measurement with frame: | 38 x 33 cm |
