Mezuzah case – “jitah del mezuzah.” [Algeria or Morocco, early decades of the 20th century].
Silver sheet, cut and repoussé, mounted with nails onto wooden panel.
At center is the symbol of the seven-branched Menorah, with images of a pitcher of oil and the Temple vessels at its base. The Menorah is flanked by columns surmounted by an arch, and is encircled by a pattern of tendrils, branches, and flowers. Underneath the arch is the Hebrew word “Shaddai” (one of the names of the Almighty). Case surmounted by suspension ring.

Height (incl. wooden panel): approx. 25 cm. Width: 16.5 cm. Good condition. Wear to edges of wooden panel. Fracture to length of back of wooden panel, reinforced with rectangular strips of cardboard, nailed on. Without the mezuzah scroll.

Reference: “Jewish Life in Morocco”, by Aviva Müller-Lancet. Exhibition catalogue, 2nd edition. Jerusalem, the Israel Museum, 1983 (Hebrew; French edition published 1986), p. 60.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.