Splendid Metal Seal of Chevras Gomlei Chassadim of the Churvah Shul. Jerusalem, circa 1884
This seal features a large and ornate relief of the Gomlei Chessed Society of the Churvah shul of Rabbi Yehuda HaChassid. It is extremely rare to find a seal as beautiful and detailed as this among 19th century Jerusalem seals.
Description:
Engraved in Hebrew font on the top of the seal, inside a crowned oval, are the words “
Seal of the Chessed Society of the Chur[vah] of Rabbi Y[ehuda] HaCh[assid], z”l [may his memory be blessed].” Below, engraved images of the Kosel and Har Habayis appear along with the words “Kosel Hamaaravi, in the holy city of City of Jerusalem, may she be built and established.” The year 5644 (1884) is embossed below. Encircling all this is the verse, “If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a collateral, return it to him by sunset.” (Shemos 22:25)
Bordering all of it is an inscription in German, “SIEGER GOMLEI CHESSED VEREIN IN JERUSALEM.”
See similar items in the Feuchtwanger collection, pages 196-200.
Condition: Good; wooden handle missing.
Diameter: 5 cm
Provenance: Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection
Family Seals
Since the dawn of time and until this very day, kings and noblemen, countries, states and cities, associations, families and even individuals were known to adopt a particular symbol to identify and project their name and status. Many a Jewish family and dignitaries, specifically Italian Jews, chose specific symbols as their family seals, and these hallmarks were often manifested on illustrated kesubos, seals, books, bindings, ornamental items and even tombstones! Some of the more prominent and common seals included hands and crowns for families of Kohanim and washing cups for Levi’im. Yet aside for these typical ones, there were many others chosen by Jewish families, with common themes being lions, eagles, towers, the sun, moon and stars, birds, fish and a wide variety of trees and foliage. Some of the most famous family seals include those of the Rothschild family, Sir Moses Montefiore, and the Adler family who served for two generations as Chief Rabbis of England.
…………………………………………
Any inquiries about this lot ?
