Tallit bag for a Bar Mitzvah boy. Algeria, [1849? or early 20th century].

Silver, repoussé, pierced and engraved (marked with French fineness mark, in use from 1838, and a tiny, difficult to decipher maker’s mark in a lozenge frame); velvet; cotton and metal threads.

Elaborate tallit bag, apparently presented as a Bar Mitzvah gift. Richly decorated on both sides: one side with vegetal designs, two palm trees, a seven-branched menorah, Temple implements, palm motifs (hamsas), and the Bar Mitzvah boy’s name at the top –
“Chaim Dayan”; the other side features two lions flanking a Star of David, inscribed with the year “1836” (possibly the boy’s year of birth), vegetal motifs, a hamsa, and a monogram with the initials DE. The bag’s sides are decorated with pierced vegetal motifs and fitted with rings holding braided cords of metal thread. Lined with white velvet.

Height: 27.5 cm. Width: 23 cm, depth: 4 cm. Overall good condition. Missing one ring and some metal thread. Another ring missing near opening of the bag. Without carrying strap.

For similar items, see: Israel Museum collection, items B06.2816, 157/244; Center for Jewish Art (CJA), item 36704 (Gross Family Collection). Though these items were produced in the early 20th century, their design closely resembles the present item.