Lot 460
"Shiviti" Plaque - "Menorah" - Illuminated Manuscript on Parchment - Morocco - Prayer for Livelihood
"Shiviti" (named in Morocco: "Menorah"). Morocco, [19th century].
Ink and paint on parchment; gold paint; small metal disk-shaped beads (sequins).
Designed as a pointed arch and decorated with gold and with colorful vegetal and geometric patterns. On top appears an illustration of a crown above the name of G-d. In the center appear texts in the shape of three Menorahs: the right one is an "Ana BeKoach" Menorah, the central one is a "LaMenatzeach" Menorah (Psalms 67) and the left one incorporates words from Psalms 121 (Shir LaMa'alot). Below the Menorahs appears a Kabbalistic prayer - "Prayer for livelihood from the Holy Zohar". Small metal sequins are integrated in the crown on top of the leaf, in the central Menorah and in some of the decorations; sewn on the parchment with thread.
Length: 51 cm, width: 35 cm. Fair condition. Creases and stains, wear and tears. Some long tears and some pinholes.
See: Encyclopedia Judaica, 1971, vol. 14, color plate 2, col. 1420 (illustrated).
For additional information about the "Shiviti-Menorah" see essay by Esther Juhasz, "Magic Elements in the 'Shiviti-Menorah'", Mahanaim 14, 2002, pp. 161-172 (Hebrew).
