Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
Circumcision Set in Original Box – Morocco, Early 20th Century
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.