“Shevithi Hashem Lenegdi Tamid” [“I place God before me at all times” (Psalms 16:8)]. Exquisite Synagogue Shevithi Plaque. Hebrew Manuscript on vellum.

(MIZRACH)

(Poland / Ukraine)

1874

Accomplished entirely in pen-and-ink. Displays the Divine Name of God (the Tetragrammaton), a seven-branched Menorah and surrounded by related Hebrew phraseology. Highly detailed including many classic Jewish iconographic elements: Eagle, coronet, rampant lions; but also more uncommon features which indicate a likely Ukrainian origin: Unicorns, griffins and - an unusual feature - twin lion heads (at base of columns). Dated and signed by the artist below: “Mordechai ben Menachem Nochum Yirmiyah HaKohen.”

Executed with great artistic skill. A magnificent Mizrach, recently discovered, and until now, never documented nor recorded. To date, no other works attributed to this manuscript-artist have been located, although his name indicates a likely Chassidic origin.