Matzah cover. Palestine, [1920s, after 1925].
Printed silk.
A matzah cover, printed on a background pattern designed as a square matzah. A printed Hebrew inscription on the right reads: "Ko Amar Koresh Balfour…" ["Thus said Cyrus Balfour…"], continued on the bottom "Ashrei Ayin Ra'ata Kol Ele" ["Joyful is the Eye that Saw all This", based on the verse quoting the proclamation of Cyrus in the Book of Ezra, chapter 1].
The main ornamentation is a circle. On its margins a printed Hebrew inscription reads: "Ma Nishtana… LeShana Haba'ah BeYerushalayim Habenuya" ["What has changed?... next year in Jerusalem rebuilt", quote from the Passover Haggadah]. Within it are six medallions with depictions of various locations in Palestine, titled in Hebrew: Western Wall, Hebrew University, Dead Sea, Port of Haifa, "Matzah Factory in Eretz Israel". Next to the illustration of the matzah factory is a Hebrew inscription reading: "VeKol HaMarbeh…Harei ze Meshubach" ["And all who consume produce of Eretz Israel, may they be praised"]. In the center is a figure of a pioneer with a camel. On the bottom are four silhouettes of pioneers dancing next to tents (after Gur-Arie) with the Hebrew inscription: "Im Lo Achshav Eimatai!!!" [If not Now, When?!!!].
For a similar item see: Kedem catalogue no. 43, item 159.
Approx. 38X36 cm. Fringes. Framed: 64X63 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Printing slightly faded. Slight damage to margins. Unexamined out of frame.
Provenance: Willy Lindwer collection.