(Embroidery).

Palestine, 1840 (sic?).

Multi-colored Mizrach depicting two columns, each topped by lion flanking Menorah; in the center, the word “Mizrach”, and the admonition “Know before Whom you stand.” are embroidered in Hebrew. Above, a verse from the High Holy Days liturgy; another quotation, completed above the Menorah: (Psalm 16:8): “I set the Lord before me always.“ A name of God is inscribed in the two Stars of David flanking the lions. Another set of columns, these topped by pennants, flank the central design; the date (possibly incomplete) appears above; the maker’s initials, S. S. separate the columns. Flowers decorating the lower register. Embroidered in wool on perforated paper. Loss at lower left. Some wear.

Embroidery with wool thread on paper was a handicraft customarily taught to orphan girls in Palestine. For a work of similar technique, although different subject matter, see V. Mann (Ed.)The Jewish Museum New York (1993) no. 93, p. 72