Decorated pair of silver cases for phylacteries, Russia/Poland. [second half of 19th century].

Silver, cut, soldered, and engraved (marked several times with quality mark and maker’s mark: the initials “AR” enclosed in a rectangle; later Dutch import mark); velvet lining.

Pair of decorated cases for housing phylacteries, with each case consisting of a cube-shaped box rising from a flat base. The two parts of each base are connected by means of a hinge, enabling opening and closing. Exteriors (other than bottoms of bases) entirely decorated in matching floral and vegetal patterns; a four-armed version of the Hebrew letter “shin” is engraved on the case for the phylacteries to be worn on the head. The interiors of the boxes are lined with dark red velvet.

Height: 4.5 cm. Length: 8 cm. Width: 5 cm. Good condition. Slight blemishes to velvet lining of interiors.

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