A long band of linen sewn in four sections, inscribed In colorful paints with the traditional text, naming the child: “Dov, son of Koppel may he live long, born Wednesday, 4th Nissan, 1754.” L: 3420mm. Worn.

Provenance: From the Collection of the Late Sigmund S. Harrison, Villanova, Pennsylvania The life cycle events alluded to in the text are each illustrated: the zodiac sign for Nissan-the month of the child’s birth, is illustrated by Aries, depicted in a medallion labelled “A good sign.” The Bar Mitzvah is indicated by a Decalogue with initial Hebrew words, and appropriate Hebrew quotations, all set within a crowned and decorated Torah scroll. The most elaborate scene depicts the Chuppah, Marriage Ceremony: Two trumpeters (one standing upon the word “Huppah”) and a bagpipe player, as well as the mother and father, bearing a cup of wine, flank the bridal couple, in elaborate period dress, who stand with the Rabbi beneath a large swagged canopy. Each of these scenes carry appropriate liturgical inscriptions in the borders. In addition, a concluding swirled inscription cites: “Made in its beauty and with all manner of enhancements, in honor of the Torah, by the hand of ...? the Cohen, from Sturim, in Halberstadt.” The text is enhanced with numerous floral and animal depictions, including fanciful scenes (a dog bears a branch with acorns, geese peck at corn, etc.) For another binder with a similarly detailed depiction of a Torah Scroll , see Judah Magnes Museum, Torah Binders (1979) No. BC30., p. 32. A similarly elaborate Marriage Canopy appears in the Jewish Museum Catalogue, Fabric of Jewish Life (1977) no. 157, p. 18-19. The present Wimpel commences with a medallion, flanked by two rampant lions, summarizing the biographical details to come. The use of such a medallion is unusual; for another example, see G. Grossman, Jewish Art (1995) p. 141