Auction 79 · Lot 269
Textile with mother-of-pearl buttoned closures at top.
- Estimate
- $10,000–$15,000
- Hammer price
- Not recorded
Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.
author
MAGNIFICENT ERETZ-ISRAEL NEEDLEPOINT BAG
Publication
(Jerusalem?), 1886
Description
One side featuring the Ten Commandments in Hebrew and the legend below: “Swift as a deer, strong as a lion” with animals flanking. The reverse with striking representation of the Western Wall. 13 x 14 inches. Housed within lucite stand.
summary
Likely a Talith-bag, and given the selected motifs, created for presentation to the great Sir Moses Montefiore - who died very shortly before this highly well-crafted item was fashioned, the news of which might have been slow to travel. The rampant lion and deer supporting banners featuring the Hebrew word “Jerusalem” are a central feature of Sir Moses’ family crest.