"Shechita" knife, with sharpener. [20th century].
The knife is placed in a matching leather case. The sharpener is attached to a board with a handle of carved wood.
* Attached is a certification for "shechita" to Ms. Germana Siniglia, daughter of Rabbi Carlo, who is expert in the laws of "shechita". The certification is valid only if an "urgent exclusive need for meat" arises and in the condition that no male "shochet" is available. Signed by Rabbi Elia Shmuel Hartom. Firenze, 1931. Italian (translation enclosed). Typewritten and signed by hand.
Length of knife; 28 cm.

Leather shoe made in accordance with Jewish law for performing "Mitzvat Chalitzah" [removal of shoe under Levirate law]. [Mid 20th century].
The Talmud and "Poskim" [adjudicative literature] contain many laws pertaining to a “Chalitzah" shoe. [For summary of laws of shoe see: Talmudic Encyclopedia, volume 15, pp. 722-752]. We will note, for instance, several Halachic details pertaining to this shoe: a shoe stitched with linen cannot be used for "Chalitzah" and according to majority of "Rishonim" all the shoe’s stitches and laces must be made of leather [therefore, buttonholes and hooks are made of leather]. Shoe must fit foot tightly and not be tattered [i. e., it must wrap the foot well and not be easily removed]; therefore tying straps are added. The shoe itself must be made of black leather and tying straps of white leather. Shoe should be crafted to fit right foot [to prevent mistakenly removing shoe from left foot]. Many other pertinent laws are stated in "Shulchan Aruch" and in" Poskim".
Each "Beit Din" must own a "Chalitzah" shoe and it is one of the objects which "Dayanim" must possess as mentioned in tractate "Sanhendrin" [7B]. Shoe must belong to brother of deceased childless husband and "Beit Din" grants him the shoe as a gift which he later returns. In fact, a "Chalitzah" shoe is rare, since very few "Batei Din" deal with "Chalitzah" whose laws are numerous and complex.
The Halachic tradition of craftsmanship of a "Chalitzah" shoe provides an authentic historical source of preserving the structure of shoes as crafted and stitched during period of the "Mishna" and earlier.
Maximal size: 30 cm. Height: approx. 23 cm. Very good condition.

Bronze mask. [Italy? 20th century].
Cast etched bronze; partially gilded.
A Mask in the style of the "Comeddia dell-Arte". Etched above the eyes is the inscription "First Eve" and "Lilith". The shape of the mask is reminiscent of the angels Sanoi, Sansanoi and Samengelof who protect the newborn infants and their mothers from Lilith, as appears in the book "Raziel HaMalach" and in various illustrations. Apparently, this mask was used as an amulet for protection. The artist's signature is blurred.
Length: 18.5 cm. height: 8.5 cm.