LAND OF ISRAEL EMBROIDERED SYNAGOGUE TEXTILE (ITINERARIUM).

AUCTION 61 | Wednesday, March 12th, 2014 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Graphic Art and Ceremonial Objects

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Lot 353

LAND OF ISRAEL EMBROIDERED SYNAGOGUE TEXTILE (ITINERARIUM).

Square arrangement of reverse images features central medallion containing Hebrew Decalogue atop Star-of-David, enclosed by wreath and rampant deer supporting large coronet with Hebrew label: “Crown of Royalty.” Medallion surrounded by geometric starburst bearing arabesque devices and stylized leaves. Four corners with name: “Chevrath Ohavei Tzion” and the Biblical passage in large crescent form: “If I forget thee O Jerusalem…” surrounding large Star-of-David labeled “Magen David” and “Zion.” Each corner element flanked by image of Moses and Aaron, beneath a festoon bearing their names. The center of each side features detailed depiction of the Tomb of Rachel and Cave of the Patriarchs portrayed as Ottoman architecture with domed roof and pair of towers with cupolas, each topped with crescent form. Floating throughout are repeating flowers, stars, crescents, shrubbery. With fringe; backed on fabric, some wear. Hanging element on reverse. 56 x 54 inches.

Est: $6,000 - $8,000

Similar to all traditional embroidered itineraria, this textile combines the geographic with the iconographic. The repeating celestial elements of crescent, star and sun throughout suggests an Islamic influence. Interestingly, the Ottoman style of the Cave of the Patriarchs depicted here can also be seen in 19th century printed Mizrachs (see Israel Museum Catalogue, Amanut V’Umananot, no. 185). The unusual use of reverse images and Hebrew typography in this textile can also seen in the strikingly similar example housed in the New York Jewish Museum (see JM, no. F705b). For another example of an embroidered Sabbath textile see B. Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, The Fabric of Jewish Life: Textiles from the Jewish Museum Collection, New York (1977) no. 255. The Chevrath Ohavei Tzion is possibly the society established by Chaim Tzvi Schneerson(1834-82) of Colel Chabad.