(SHEVITHI)

Late 19th-century.

Large synagogue plaque. Ink and multicolored wash on paper, use of gilt throughout. Dense use of traditional Jewish iconographic images and related Hebrew texts. With iconic verses from Book of Psalms together with names of angels. Flanking central Menorah are micrographic portraits of Moses and Aaron comprised of relevant Biblical texts about each. Holy Places of the Land of Israel depicted towards bottom. Upper register: Tomb of Rachel, Site of the Holy Temple, Study Hall of Shlomo Hamelech and Cave of the Patriarchs. Lower register: Tombs of R. Shimon Bar Yochai, R. Meir Baal Haness and Yosef the Righteous and his sons. Geometric patterned borders surrounding with corner rosettes. Made by and bequeathed by Zalman Mendelovitch in honor of Elazar HaLevi.