Small rug depicting the twelve jewels of the priestly breastplate. [Israel, 2nd half of the 20th century].
Central field with twelve Polychrome rectangles set in rows, representing the twelve jewels of the priestly breastplate; each rectangle topped by the corresponding tribe's name.
30x23cm. Good condition. Stains to fringe.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.

Small rug depicting a Star of David and the word ‘Zion.’ [Palestine?, first half of the 20th century.]
The rug features a large central Star of David, containing the word ‘Zion.’ Vegetal motifs at corners; geometric border.
59x59cm. Good condition. Stains to fringe.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.

Small pictorial rug depicting Adam and Eve, after Marbadiah. [Palestine/Israel], 20th century.
Wool knot-pile; cotton foundation.
Adam and Eve are seen in the center kneeling beside the Tree of Knowledge, around which the serpent is entwined, looking down at them. A gazelle is lying behind Eve, who is handing a fruit to Adam; a lion is in the same position behind Adam. Inscribed ‘Adam and Eve’ (Hebrew) in the border below the central image. This rug is virtually identical to the Adam and Eve Marbadiah rug, except for a peacock perched on the Tree of Knowledge, and a number of other minor differences.
64x47cm. Good condition. Damage to pile and fringe. Extensive loss to fringe.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.

Small Ort rug, designed by Jacob Kantorowitz. [Israel, early 1950s.]
Wool knot-pile; cotton foundation.
Polychrome rhombus pattern with a geometric border. Signed ‘ORT’ (Hebrew and English) at bottom.
Ort rugs were made by the (mostly female) students at the rug weaving workshops run by the organization. The rugs were designed by Jacob Kantorowitz, who headed the program and taught its students. Kantorowitz is famous for heading the Bezalel rug weaving department and later the Marbadiah workshop run by Bezalel, and for designing most of the rugs created at Bezalel.
An article featured in ‘Dvar HaShavua’ (dated August 6th, 1953), which covered the Ort rug enterprise, is accompanied by a photograph of this very same rug, made by Carmela Yadin, Yigael Yadin's wife, as a present to her father-in-law, archeologist Eliezer Sukenik. An additional photograph shows Jacob Kantorowitz in the midst of the creation of the weave design of this rug.
Ort (which stands for ‘Общество Ремесленного Труда’ [Obshchestvo Remeslenava Truda], ‘Association for the Promotion of Skilled Trades’) was founded in 1880 in Russia. Its goal was to provide Jews with education and training in practical occupations such as handicrafts and agricultural skills, to enable them to earn a living. The organization ran schools and provided professional training throughout Europe, and continued operating even under German occupation. After the war, the organization set up vocational training centers in DP camps, allowing Holocaust survivors to acquire skills and rebuild their lives. The Israeli branch of Ort was founded in 1949.
66x48cm. Good condition. Minor damage; some damage to fringe.
Reference: Jewish Carpets, Anton Felton. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 1997, p. 152.
Provenance: The Anton Felton Collection.