Embroidered tablecloth for Sabbath and festivals. [Saqqez or its environs, Iranian Kurdistan, last quarter of the 19th century].
Color silk embroidery on cotton fabric; black cotton cloth; sequins; fringed border.
A large, colorful, circular tablecloth of a type used among the Jews of Kurdistan. Such cloths were intended to cover the table or food trays placed upon it on Sabbaths, at ceremonies, and on festivals. Densely embroidered with flowers and repeating, symmetrical vegetal patterns, with stylized medallions and peacock motifs.
The embroidery incorporates several concentric text bands, stitched in black thread, containing biblical verses, rabbinic sayings, and a dedicatory inscription by the maker of the cloth. In the outer marginal band are embroidered verses and a rabbinic dictum relating to the dining table: "[Rabbi Shimon said]: … three who have eaten at one table, and have spoken there words of Torah, [it is] as if they had eaten at the table of the All-Present, blessed be He, as it is said, And He said unto me, 'this is the table before the Lord' / This is My name forever, and this is how I should be mentioned in every generation / [For Your salvation, I hope, O Lord!]" (Pirkei Avot 3:3; Shemot 3:15).
Within the inner marginal band are embroidered verses from Tehillim: "A song of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He causes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even when I walk in the valley of darkness, I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff – they comfort me" (Tehillim, 23:1-4).
In the four central medallions are embroidered the initials of the piyyut Ana BeKo'ach and various letter combinations (initials and final letters); in the central roundel is embroidered a dedicatory inscription by the maker of the cloth, Aaron son of Yehezkel.
Diameter of embroidered cloth: approx. 79 cm. The tablecloth has undergone professional conservation and has been sewn onto new fabric panels at its base and border. Overall diameter including the added border cloth: approx. 90 cm; overall diameter including fringes: approx. 110 cm. Overall good-fair condition. Stains and dark staining. Wear and tears affecting the embroidery in several places. Repairs and restorations. Accompanied by a round, printed colorful fabric panel, apparently originally sewn to the base of the tablecloth.
Details from this tablecloth are documented in the exhibition catalogue The Jews of Kurdistan: Daily Life, Customs, Arts and Craft. Jerusalem: The Israel Museum, 1981, pp. 152-153; 186-187 (Hebrew edition).
