“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.

“Gargush” / “karkush mizahhar” – a traditional headdress (hood) worn by Jewish women in Yemen on festive occasions, such as weddings and holidays. [Sana’a, Yemen, late 19th century].

Brocade silk, cotton and velvet; silver chains and ornaments; metal threads; gilt silver filigree plaques and pendants; “Maria Theresa” coins, some gilt; Ottoman coins; glass beads.

The back of the headdress is adorned with twenty-four 18th century “Maria Theresa Thaler” silver coins, arranged in two vertical rows, some gilt. As typical in Yemenite adornment, the outward-facing side of the coins displays the imperial double-headed eagle.

The upper portion is decorated with gilt silver plaques, some executed in filigree, several set with tiny glass beads. A silver ornament band is sewn along the forehead area. Along the edge of the fabric hang silver chains with silver beads, terminating in silver ornaments and two small 19th-century Ottoman coins. Button and loop closure at front.

Length: approx. 55 cm (approx. 60 cm including chains). Width: approx. 28 cm. Overall good condition. Some glass beads missing. Some unraveling.

Decorative plate to be mounted on the wall, by Jewish-Danish artist Mogens Ballin. [Copenhagen, ca. 1900]. Signed on verso: MB (monogram), JXI / M.M.

Brass, repoussé, engraved and stamped.

In the center of the plate appear a stylized Tree of Life growing from a vase inscribed “Etz Chaim”, and a small reclining deer underneath; surrounding the tree are animals and vegetal motifs, with a flaming bowl above; inscribed along the rim is the verse: "the instruction of Your mouth is better for me than thousands of gold and silver" (Theillim, 119:72 [Hebrwe]).

Mogens Ballin (1871-1914), Jewish-Danish metalworker and painter, born in Copenhagen. A leading figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement, he worked in France with Paul Gauguin and members of the Pont-Aven School, and was associated with the post-impressionist group Les Nabis. Upon returning to Copenhagen in the 1890s, he founded a metalwork studio with sculptor Siegfried Wagner, producing Jugendstil and Art Nouveau designs. While most of his works lack overt Jewish references, he is known to have produced several Judaica items, including Hanukkah lamps and charity boxes. The present plate is one of his few surviving Jewish-themed works.

Approx. 22X23 cm (undulating and asymmetrical rim). Good condition. Minor blemishes. Patina. Suspension loop on verso.

For an identical plate, see: Sotheby’s, Tel Aviv, 11 October, 2001, Lot 22. For two similar plates with Jewish motifs, see: Kedem, Auction 48, 2 December 2015, Lots 82 and 83.

Manuscript, Passover Haggadah, with laws and Arabic translation, and additions according to the custom of Baghdad. [Baghdad, 19th century].

Decorated title page. Initial panels and decorations in color, in characteristic Baghdad style. Oriental square and cursive script.

Signed inscription on title page (two more signatures at end of manuscript).

Includes midrashic passages added to the Haggadah according to the custom of Baghdad, as well as the piyyut Amunim Archu Shevach by Aharon HaKohen (p. 17a). At end of manuscript, Chad Gadya with Arabic verse-by-verse translation.

[33] leaves. Approx. 14 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Wear and several defects, slightly affecting text. New binding.

Manuscript, Books of Shir HaShirim and Ruth, with Aramaic translation; various piyyutim, and more. [Persia, 19th century].

Title pages and opening panels illustrated in color. Color decorations in several places (flowers, peacocks).

Includes a selection of piyyutim for the conclusion of Shabbat and various occasions, some by liturgical poets of Persia and the region.

Also includes: Kiddush for high holidays, Simanim for Rosh Hashanah, Nesiim readings, and more.

On p. 27b, inscription dated 1845.

[59] leaves. Lacking several leaves in the middle, and several leaves misordered. 15.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains, dark stains and smudging of paint, sometimes affecting text. Tears and wear and various defects. Without binding.