Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
Large collection of over 40 biographies of rebbes and various tzaddikim, as well as selections from their teachings.
See Hebrew description for list of books.
42 books. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined and are being sold as is.
Large, assorted collection of over 30 books – biographies and practices of various rabbis and rebbes.
See Hebrew description for list of books.
34 volumes. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and they are being sold as is.
See Hebrew description for list of books.
13 books and booklets (and two additional books). Varying size and condition. Printed wrappers. Some with old, worn bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined and are being sold as is.
• Or LaYesharim, collection of essays by rabbis "against Zionism", edited by the publishers R. Shlomo Zalman Landau and R. Yosef Rabinowitz. Warsaw, 1900. With original printed wrapper. The book contains letters by leading rabbis, including R. Eliyahu Chaim Meisel of Łódź, R. Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk, R. David Friedman of Karlin, R. Yosef Rosen of Dvinsk, and more.
• Daat HaRabbanim, containing letters of contemporary rabbis against Zionism. Warsaw, 1902.
• Tzion BeMishpat, rabbinic perspective on Zionism, on the Russian Zionist Conference and the Second Zionist Congress in Basel, by R. Eliyahu Akiva Rabinowich of Poltava. Warsaw, 1899. Work against Zionism, written after the dismissal of the author R. Eliyahu Akiva Rabinowich's proposal to establish a rabbinic body to oversee the cultural values guiding the World Zionist Organization.
Bound with: VeAntah Bi Tzidkati, rebuttal to the Hashkafah LeTovah series of articles published by R. Shmuel Yaakov Rabinowitz in HaMelitz against author's previous book, Tzion BeMishpat, by R. Eliyahu Akiva Rabinowich of Poltava. Warsaw, 1899. Most leaves in the first book and the first leaves in the second book are detached from the book.
• Al HaTziyonit [!], on the history of Zionism and obstacles on its path, by R. Aharon Levit of Chișinău. Warsaw, 1899.
• Or Chadash, on the Zionist idea, "bringing together both extremes and uniting hearts", by R. Menachem Nachum Shkarovsky. Odessa, 1900. Rare work, undocumented in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
• Emet VeEmunah, encouragement against alien opinions and books of heresy, by R. Yisrael Yitzchak Turnovsky. Piotrków, 1908.
7 books in 6 volumes. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and they are being sold as is.
Large, ornate hanging lamp for the Sabbath and holydays. Italy, probably Venice, 18th or Early 19th century.
Brass, cast and engraved; brass, sawn, repoussé and punched.
Large, interesting lamp, combining typical Italian and Dutch elements, comprising six parts: upper decoration shaped as a crown, a double-headed vulture ornament, a spherical ornament that functions as a reflector, a large oil pan with twelve pinched spouts for wicks, a drip pan, and a weight.
The crown ornament, oil pan, and drip pan are decorated with elaborate, matching, vegetal patterns; the spherical ornament is decorated with a wreath of leaves.
The overall design of the lamp resembles the style of Dutch Sabbath lamps that was prevalent during the 18th century, and the style of its ornamentation is reminiscent of repoussé work common in Dutch brass lamps of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Yet, the shape of the multi-spouted oil pan is typical of Italian Sabbath lamps. The double-headed vulture ornament is sometimes featured in German Sabbath lamps ("Judenstern"), but as a self-standing piece, it is only documented in a few silver Sabbath lamps, originating in England and Germany.
Height: approx. 86 cm. Diameter of oil pan: 31.5 cm. Overall good condition. Minor blemishes. Thick metal strip soldered onto the inner part of the crown, with suspension holes. Suspension rod enclosed (late).
Provenance: Private collection of a family of Venetian origin.
Amulet pendant. [Europe, early 20th century].
Silver; filigree and granulation; gilt.
Hallmark: "S".
Two-sided pendant, decorated with fine vegetal patterns. One side of the pendant is convex and adorned with a filigree flower and granulation; the other side is flat, with an oval plaque set at its center, bearing an engraved inscription of the Holy Name Shid Dalet Yud. The plaque is hinged and serves as lid to an inner compartment meant to house an amulet.
Height: 5.5 cm, width: 5 cm. Overall good condition. With suspension ring.
Amulet pendant. [Italy, 19th century].
Silver, engraved; filigree,
Two-sided pendant. At its center, an a-symmetrical heart ornament, encircled by symmetrical filigree ornaments in vegetal patterns. One side of the heart is engraved with the Holy Name Shid Dalet Yud; the other side with the abbreviation "Agla" ["atah gibor le-olam Adonai" = You are mighty forever, Lord].
For similar amulets, see: Center for Jewish Art (CJA), item nos. 5044, 5057 and 36265.
Height: 6 cm, width: 6 cm. Overall good condition. Minor blemishes and old soldering repairs. With suspension ring.
A set of utensils for circumcision (Brit Milah), in an original case. [Morocco, early 20th century].
Silver; steel; bone; paper-covered wooden case; velvet lining.
Circumcision (Brit Milah) set, including: knife with one-sided blade, screwed to a bone handle (made by Taylor's Eye Witness); two small bone utensils with a silver-covered top engraved with a vegetal pattern; three shields, one marked; six round reusable cotton bandages, perforated in the center. The utensils are inserted in a brilliant paper-covered wooden case lined with purple velvet.
The present item was sold in 2018 by Kedem – auction 59, lot 362. According to the former owner, the utensils belonged to R. Yosef Chaim, eldest son of Rabbi Mordechai Benjo of Tangier.
Knife: 16 cm; shields: 6.5X4 cm to 7X4.5 cm; height of bone utensils: 5 cm, diameter: 3.5 cm; case: 13.5X10.5X6.5 cm. Fair condition. The case is partly dismantled. Velvet unraveled and faded. Handle of knife is cracked and blade is rusted. Silver covers are detached from tops.
Synagogue rug depicting a menorah, a crown and the Tablets of the Law. [Eretz Israel?], 1924/1925.
Wool knot-pile; wool foundation.
Synagogue rug comprising three panels. The middle panel is inscribed with a dedicatory inscription reading, "dedicated by R. Shmuel Hoffnung and his wife Miriam, " with two verse excerpts: "The work of a master weaver you shall make them, " and "And the Mishkan you shall make out of ten curtains" (Exodus 26:1), and with the year of presentation, 5684 anno mundi [1924/1925]. The central field is set with an oval medallion containing a menorah, surrounded by symmetrical vegetal motifs. These are flanked by two (possibly later) side panels depicting a pair of columns, one topped by a crown and the other by the Tablets of the Law.
145X217 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Large repair to center. Later fringe. Suspension strip sewn to upper edge on verso.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.