Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $7,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $13,750
Including buyer's premium
Torah crown, created by silversmith Antoni Riedel (active 1878-1910). Warsaw, Poland, 1884.
Silver, repoussé, engraved and embossed; silver, cast; parcel gilt (maker's mark "A. Riedel", workshop mark (logo), Warsaw city marks, "84" quality mark, and assayer's mark with date "OC 1884" [Osip Sosnkovski]).
Large Torah crown, in a design typical of crowns from Poland and Eastern Europe. With a round base, decorated with dense leaf ornaments, featuring three gilded medallions engraved with a dedication inscription: "Moshe Zvi son of R. Simcha / Pinczowski, from Konin / Year 1884".
Six half-arches decorated with floral patterns extend from the base to the crown's top, which is also adorned with floral patterns and a wide ring with leaf ornaments. Six rampant lions are positioned between the crown's half-arches, and above them are six cast decorations in the shape of deer heads, with rings holding bells in their mouths. Above the large crown is a smaller crown, decorated with six eagles standing on globes with bells, topped by a gilded spherical ornament on which stands a swan with spread wings.
A Jewish community existed in the city of Konin from the 14th century, and for hundreds of years it was administratively subordinate to the Kalisz community. In the late 19th century, about 2,480 Jews lived in Konin.
Height: 34 cm, base diameter: 19.5 cm, maximum width: 30 cm. Good condition.
Only a few crowns made by Riedel are known. For comparison, see: Center for Jewish Art (CJA), item 31584 (collection of the National Museum of the Republic of Buryatia, Russia); J. Greenstein, March 12, 2014, Lot 178.
This crown was likely part of a set, along with the Torah pointer and breastplate sold at Kedem, Jerusalem, May 8, 2024, Lot 43 (these lots match in terms of design, silver marks, and the style of letters engraved on the interchangeable plates of the breastplate).
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art
Catalogue
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000
Sold for: $7,500
Including buyer's premium
Pair of cups: a Kiddush cup and Elijah's Cup. Russian Empire / Galicia, with a dedication inscription from 1876.
Silver, engraved; both goblets are marked on the base with the quality mark "84" and the initials "P. B.(?)" in cursive Cyrillic script (presumably the maker's mark).
Large and impressive cups, with a narrow base and a body that widens towards the rim. One cup is engraved with the inscription "This / Cup / for R. / Mordechai / Shachtman / 1876" and the second cup is engraved with the inscription
"This / Cup of / Elijah the Prophet… 1876".
Both cups are similarly decorated with intricate vines, a large bird of prey (eagle) with wings spread to the sides, and a pair of large, tongue-lolling lions supporting with their paws a rectangular frame with an arched top (within these frames, the aforementioned inscriptions are engraved). Elijah's Cup also features a double-headed eagle embellishment, engraved below the frame.
Height: 8.5 cm, base diameter: 4.7 cm, rim diameter: 8.2 cm. Overall good condition.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art
Catalogue
![Spice container. Tlemcen, Algeria, [ca. 1900-1930].
Silver sheet, repoussé, pierced and engraved; silver, cas](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/154_1.jpg "Silver Spice Container – Tlemcen, Algeria, Early 20th Century")
![Spice container. Tlemcen, Algeria, [ca. 1900-1930].
Silver sheet, repoussé, pierced and engraved; silver, cas](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/154_2.jpg "Silver Spice Container – Tlemcen, Algeria, Early 20th Century")
![Spice container. Tlemcen, Algeria, [ca. 1900-1930].
Silver sheet, repoussé, pierced and engraved; silver, cas](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/154_3.jpg "Silver Spice Container – Tlemcen, Algeria, Early 20th Century")
![Spice container. Tlemcen, Algeria, [ca. 1900-1930].
Silver sheet, repoussé, pierced and engraved; silver, cas](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/154_4.jpg "Silver Spice Container – Tlemcen, Algeria, Early 20th Century")
![Spice container. Tlemcen, Algeria, [ca. 1900-1930].
Silver sheet, repoussé, pierced and engraved; silver, cas](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/154_5.jpg "Silver Spice Container – Tlemcen, Algeria, Early 20th Century")
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Spice container. Tlemcen, Algeria, [ca. 1900-1930].
Silver sheet, repoussé, pierced and engraved; silver, cast (unmarked).
A container designed for storing spices for the Havdalah ceremony. Shaped as a hexagonal container with a pointed dome, topped by a flower-like ornament and an upper cast decoration in a symmetrical vegetal pattern characteristic of Islamic art.
The container stands on an additional decoration – matching the upper one at the top – soldered to the hexagonal base. One of the container's facets features a pierced arched opening closed by a hinged door with a locking mechanism (similar to European tower-shaped spice containers). The container and base are decorated with floral patterns and palm designs (hamsas). Two gilded bells hang on hooks fixed to the upper part of the container.
Two engraved inscriptions serve as indication to the container's origin and owner: on the upper margins,
"…Moshe / di / Yaakov / Levy…", and on the lower margins – "Handmade by / the craftsman Yehia / Faruz / and Makhluf ben / Hamu / Tlemcen".
This container – likely created as a private commission – beautifully reflects the typical silversmith work of North African Jews. It is reminiscent in its shape and decorations of Jewish ceremonial objects from Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, especially Torah finials and crowns. However, it represents a unique and possibly singular example of an Algerian spice container, as in Middle Eastern countries, spices used for Havdalah were abundant, eliminating the need to preserve them for reuse in dedicated containers, as was customary in European countries.
The name of the silversmith Yaya Farouz of Tlemcen is mentioned in Paul Eudel's L'orfèvrerie Algérienne et Tunisienne (Alger, 1902, p. 430); According to online genealogical records Farouz passed away in 1936, a fact that helps dating this item to the very first decades of the 20th century.
The name of the silversmith Yaya Farouz of Tlemcen is mentioned in Paul Eudel's L'orfèvrerie Algérienne et Tunisienne (Alger, 1902, p. 430); According to online genealogical records Farouz passed away in 1936, a fact that helps dating this item to the very first decades of the 20th century.
Height: 31.5 cm, base width: 8.5 cm. Overall good condition.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art
Catalogue
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $40,000
Estimate: $50,000 - $60,000
Unsold
Year-round siddur following Ashkenazi rite, with Torah portions, Shir HaYichud, Yotzerot and Selichot, Hoshanot and Ma'aravot. Amsterdam: Herz Levi Rofe and his son-in-law Kosman, 1752.
Bound with: Book of Psalms arranged according to the days of the week, with German commentary and order of supplications. Amsterdam: Herz Levi Rofe and his son-in-law Kosman, [1760]. Includes Yiddish translation ("Taytsh"); with separate title pages for Psalms and for supplications. Bound in a magnificent silver binding, with dedicatory inscriptions.
Paper, cardboard and fabric; brass sheet; silver, repoussé, pierced and engraved (both clasps are stamped with the 18th century Halberstadt city mark; unidentified maker's mark: the letters F.S with a flower above and below within a shield-shaped frame [not documented in Scheffler], and a stamped letter H, apparently date letter for the year 1761).
It appears that this siddur was given as a "Sivlonot" – a present from the groom to his betrothed, after their engagement. It is bound in a magnificent silver binding on which the names of the couple appear: on the front cover –
"R. / Leib son of the Gaon … [A]kiva Eger / of blessed memory", and on the back cover – "Hendele / daughter of Itzek … 1761".
Both sides of the binding are symmetrically decorated, in identical floral patterns typical of the 18th century: a pair of rampant lions in the center, tongues extended, supporting a stylized cartouche and a large crown-shaped ornament. The spine and clasps are also decorated with matching patterns; a pair of silver ornaments soldered to the spine at the top and bottom (covering the thickness of the book).
In addition to the repoussé and engraved decorations, the silver binding also features tiny decorations pierced in patterns of leaves, stars, moons and flowers; a thin brass sheet located under the silver plates of the binding serves as a background and gives them a golden glow. Such pierced decorations are not common in bindings of this type, but are indeed found, for example, in German Torah pointers from the 18th century.
R. Yehuda Leib Yaakov Eger (1741-1814), son of Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi of Zülz and Pressburg ("Rabbi Akiva Eger the First"), served for forty years as rabbi in Halberstadt and was one of the leading Torah scholars of his generation. He was the uncle of the famous Rabbi Akiva Eger, Rabbi of Posen (1762-1837; author of Responsa Rabbi Akiva Eger and Derush VeChiddush, father-in-law of the Chatam Sofer). Together with his brother Rabbi Binyamin Wolf, he published his father's novellae in the book Mishnat D'Rabbi Akiva (Fürth, 1781). His sons were R. Peretz Sabel Eger and R. Avraham Eger of Mezhyrich.
Rebbetzin Chana Hinda Eger (Hendele) née Borchardt was born in Halberstadt in 1736 and died there in 1787. Her father's name was Yitzchak Baruch (see below: "Itzek") and he was called "Köslin" after his city of origin in Pomerania.
On the back endpaper appears a long and detailed genealogical inscription in the handwriting of R. Yehuda Leib's son –
R. Peretz Sabel Eger – which was apparently written after he inherited this volume from his father's estate, around 1814: "The young Sabel Eger residing here… Braunschweig son of…. Rabbi Leib Eger of blessed memory who was Rabbi of the holy community of Halberstadt for forty years, son of… Rabbi Akiva Eger… who was Rabbi and Rosh Metivta in… Zülz and Pressburg, author of the book Mishnat D'Rabbi Akiva son of the late… Rabbi Bunem Eger… son of… Rabbi Leib Eger… son of Rabbi Meir… The name of my mother and teacher the righteous Rebbetzin Mrs. Hendela… daughter of… Rabbi Itzek Köslin… son… Rabbi Baruch Köslin… of Pomerania / And my mother and teacher… mentioned above was born to a pious and famous generous woman Mrs. Schönchen of blessed memory".
R. Peretz Sabel Eger (1768-1842) was the cousin of the renowned Rabbi Akiva Eger. In 1809, he was appointed as Rabbi of Braunschweig. He corresponded on halachic matters with his cousin Rabbi Akiva Eger, and dozens of responsa in Rabbi Akiva Eger's responsa are addressed to him. He authored the books Ateret Paz on Tractate Beitzah and Rimon Peretz on Tractate Ketubot.
[2], 243; 85; 128, [1], 130-144 leaves. Misfoliation. 18.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains (many stains on first and last leaves due to dampness on the endpapers). Worming to some leaves, affecting text. Gilt edges. New cloth-covered cardboard binding, with original endpapers, partially restored and reconstructed. Two French bookplates, presumably from the 19th or early 20th century ("Bibliotheque du Chateau, de Livry, CB"; "Candide et Constanter, JWC"). Silver binding 19X13.5 cm, overall good condition.
The binding is documented in the Center for Jewish Art (CJA), item 3909.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 025.001.013.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art
Catalogue
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $10,000
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000
Sold for: $13,750
Including buyer's premium
Passover Haggadah and Seder Sefirat HaOmer. Manuscript on parchment, work of scribe and illustrator Chaim Leib Beinhocker. Place and date not specified, [likely first half of the 20th century]. Bound in a magnificent silver binding, with the Fiorentini family crest. Rome, presumably 19th century (1815-1870).
Ink and paint on parchment; silk fabric; silver, repoussé and engraved (twice stamped with the emblem of Rome and a maker's mark – A70G (?) in a lozenge-shaped frame).
Manuscript on parchment. Miniature format. Written in black ink in Ashkenazi square script, without vocalization. All pages are framed in a rectangular border in pink ink. Accompanied by 87 color illustrations. Text: Leaves [1]-[55a] – Passover Haggadah; Leaves [55b]-[69a] – Seder Sefirat HaOmer.
The manuscript opens with an architectural title page featuring the figures of Moses and Aaron, where the names of the scribe and the patron for whom the manuscript was created appear: "Passover Haggadah / with fine illustrations / collected from / old Haggadot… I / the humble Chaim Leib / Beinhocker in honor of… Rabbi / Yekutiel Fischhof" (we were unable to identify these figures).
In addition to the illustration on the title page, 86 more color illustrations are integrated throughout the manuscript, depicting the Haggadah story as well as Lag BaOmer and Shavuot – most are miniatures (the smallest measures 4X2.5 cm, and the largest 8x5 cm) – as well as initial words adorned with gold, with tiny illustrations.
Although created during the 20th century, it appears that the creator of this manuscript was influenced by the tradition of 18th-century European illustrated manuscripts, especially those of the "Moravian School". However, while most 18th-century manuscripts base their illustrations on the "Amsterdam Haggadah" (Amsterdam, 1695), this manuscript's illustrations are based on the woodcuts of the "Venice Haggadah" first printed in Venice in 1609.
The silver binding is identically decorated on both sides with floral patterns centered around the Fiorentini family crest – a bent arm holding a wreath with three flowers – topped by a crown-shaped ornament. This family originated in Tuscany and has lived in Rome since the 16th century. Among its famous members are the poet Salomone Fiorentino, and several military figures who fought during the 19th and 20th centuries. For more information about this family, see: Elivo Giuditta, Araldica Ebraica in Italia. [Torino]: Società Italiana di Studi Araldici, 2007, p. 179.
For another binding by the same silversmith (dated ca. 1830), see: Sotheby's, December 20, 2017, Lot 80.
[69] leaves + [3] blank parchment leaves at the end of the volume. 9X6 cm. Overall good condition. Some stains. Creases in several leaves. Silver binding: 9.7 cm, with doublures covered in dark purple silk fabric (slightly frayed at the edges).
Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, December 19, 2012, Lot 125.
Category
Jewish Ceremonial Art
Catalogue