"Menorah" – Shiviti plaque with dedicatory inscription. Morocco, [perhaps Marrakesh / South Morocco, second half of 19th century].
Ink and paint on paper.
Large "Menorah" plaque (as such plaques were referred to in North Africa), decorated with vegetal and geometric arabesques in red and green hues. Near symmetric composition. Comprised of two sheets of paper pasted together – the upper sheet features the Menorah, while the lower one contains the dedication.
The upper part of the plaque contains a tall LaMenatze'ach Menorah, resting on the back of a large, stylized bird, also decorated in green and red; the menorah is surrounded by some Temple utensils (including a pan, patterned as a Moroccan gun-powder flask), two hamsas and the initials of Ana BeKoach. The border surrounding the leaf is decorated with a repetitive vegetal pattern of five-petaled flowers, reminiscent of hamsas.
The lower part of the plaque contains verses of blessing and protection for the home, initials and the text of the priestly blessing – occasionally also featured in Moroccan ketubot; a lengthy, detailed dedication occupies the center, with blessings "may G-d grant you favor in the eyes of kings and ministers…". The dedication is addressed to "Masoud Elkayam", yet this name appears to have been written in place of a different name which was erased.
This "Menorah" is reminiscent of a Moroccan Esther scroll in the Gross Family Collection (081.012.016), see item no. 69 in this catalogue (and see also item no. 7 in this catalogue).
52X44 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, creases and wear. Minor defects to text and ornaments. Open tear to upper right margin, not affecting the illustrations (restored with paper). Mounted on acid-free paper for preservation.
Reference:
1. Marrakesh VeChachameya, by Shlomo Miara. Elad, HaRav Zrihen Institute, 2015, p. 133 (Hebrew).
2. Kabbalah, edited by Klaus Davidowicz, Mirjam Knotter and Domagoj Akrap. Bielefeld, Kerber Verlag, 2018, p. 41.
3. Windows on Jewish Worlds, Essays in Honor of William Gross Collector of Judaica. Zutphen, Walburg Pers, 2019, p. 98 (illustrated).
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 058.011.066.
The plaque is documented on the Center for Jewish Art (CJA) website, item no. 48461.
