Torah ark curtain. [East Asia, perhaps China or Japan / Jerusalem], 1921.
Embroidery of colorful silk on silk satin fabric.
Torah ark curtain, in high-quality embroidery of bright multicolor silk, in rich vegetal patterns and in a technique characteristic of East Asia, especially China and Japan. The embroidered decorations include lengthy branches with leaves, large flowers of various kinds, including lotus and peony or tea leaves. At the center of the curtain is an embroidered dedication: "This curtain was donated by Ms. Juliette daughter of Salman in memory of her husband Yechezkel Ezra Salman, deceased 2nd Tamuz 1921".
The combination of uncommon art motifs and the dedication to an Iraqi Jew (almost certainly from Bagdad) points to a likely origin in a Baghdad community synagogue in the Far East, in China, Burma or Japan.
140X160 cm. Fair condition. Seams along approx. 50 cm of bottom-center of curtain. Stains and moisture damage. Many creases and wear. Decorative hem partially detached.
