“Shield of Judah Maccabee” – challenge trophy of the “Maccabi” sports club in Eretz Israel. Made by the “Oholiab” workshop of artist Salamon Yedidya-Seelenfreund, Jerusalem, [1923]. Marked: “Oholiab, Jerusalem” [Henrew].
Silver, repoussé and engraved; silver rivets; painted wood.
Round silver sheet affixed with rivets to an octagonal wooden base. In the center: high-relief image of a nude athlete throwing a javelin, surrounded by the inscription: “Challenge Trophy for the most outstanding company in sports and gymnastics among all Hebrew companies in Eretz Israel” [Hebrew]. The border features interlaced Hebrew monograms and various geometric patterns; at the top, the Maccabi movement emblem and the inscription: “Shield of Judah the Maccabee – a healthy mind in a healthy body” [Hebrew].
Additional silver plaque mounted on the wooden base, engraved with a dedicatory inscription: “Presented for the first time at the track and field competitions held on Hol HaMoed Sukkot, 17 Tishrei 5684 [1923], in Jerusalem, by Mrs. Miriam Fels, Honorary Vice President of the ‘Bnei Binyamin’ organization in Eretz Israel”.
Miriam (Mary) Fels (1863-1930), German-born American Jewish philanthropist. After her husband’s death in 1914, she dedicated her fortune to public, social, and Zionist causes. She was a major supporter of the Zionist movement and of Jewish settlement in Eretz Israel, and served as Honorary Vice President of the “Bnei Binyamin” organization, which supported agricultural settlers in the Jewish colonies of Eretz Israel.
Diameter of silver sheet: approx. 25 cm, dedication plaque: 11.5X3 cm, diameter of wooden base: 36 cm. Good-fair condition. Minor bends and blemishes to silver plaque. Cracks and breaks to wooden base. Two brass suspension hooks affixed to the top corners of the wooden base.
