Seder Birchath Hamazon. [Compendium of Blessings and selected Prayers including Psalms]. The work of the scribe Nathan ben Samson of Meseritsch

(LITURGY).

Moravia

1728

Manuscript, in Aschkenazi cursive and square Hebrew scripts, with illustrations by the scribe, instructions in Yiddish. Black ink on vellum, 55pp. Fully illustrated title page, further 9 illustrations. Three initial words within a decorative cartouche. The manuscript carries the following major illustrations, including: f. 1r: Title-page, full-length images of Moses and Aaron f. 4r: Festive Meal f. 5r: Couple lighting large Chanukah Lamp f: 6v: Haman hanging from gallows f: 14r: Traveller on horse-back f: 15r: Ships at sea f: 21v: Winged angel (Hamalach Hago’el) f: 23r: King David with harp f: 27r: Four men blessing the New Moon by candle-light

See E. van Voolen, Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana-Treasures of Jewish Booklore (1994) p. 68-9

“The work of Nathan ben Samson of Meseritsch is reflective of the Renaissance of Jewish book illumination which occured in the Germanic countries during the 18th century. Nathan hailed from Moravia ‘whose culture preserved for generations the imprint of the former imperial metropolis.’ (E. Namenyi, in: C. Roth, Jewish Art (1961) p.499). Nathan’s...facile technique single him out as one of the most important illuminators of this period. “ See Sotheby’s New York, 26th June, 1984, lot 42, for another manuscript by this noted scribe