Gold thread embroidery and silver lace, set on canvas and wire. Approx. 7 x 11 inches (17.8 x 27.9 cm).

WOMAN’S SABBATH HAT

Polish, 19th-century

A fine and rare example of a “kupka” bonnet worn by well-to-do religious Jewish women on Sabbath and Festivals. Composed of extraordinary detailed Spanier-arbeit. The Jewish decorative work, known in Yiddish as Spanier-arbeit, or ‘Spanish work,’ was a particular specialty craft executed by Jews, especially in the Galicia region of Poland (see Yivo Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe). For another example see Sotheby’s, The Michael & Judy Steinhardt Judaica Collection, April 29th, 2013, Lot 224.