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Jewish Ceremonial Art (Judaica)

detail from ceremonial laver * detail from Ark curtain * contemporary etrog box

The Jewish Museum has one of the finest collections of Judaica in the world. Founded in 1932, the Museum acquired important and rare pieces early in its development, resulting in a collection that has been awarded Designated status.

Basing their work on the principle of hiddur mitzvah - beautifying the commandment - Jewish and non-Jewish craftsmen have, over the centuries, worked in metal, wood, ceramics, and textiles, and written books and manuscripts, to create objects integral to Jewish practice. The desire to express love for God by making ceremonial objects is as ancient as Judaism itself. Nothing is made for decorative purposes alone: every piece has a religious function. For that reason, many items of Judaica wear their history, showing signs of regular use in a way that purely ornamental objects do not. * Silver spice tower with enamel panels, Germany, 18th century (click to view larger image)
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Italian synagogue ark, c. 1600 (click to view larger image) * The Museum's Judaica collection can be broadly divided between the public and domestic spheres. The synagogue occupies a central position in Jewish communal life and its fixtures and fittings belong to the whole community. The largest and most striking pieces are those connected with the Torah scrolls, which are housed in an ark placed on the eastern wall so that the congregation faces towards Jerusalem when praying. A magnificent painted wood ark from 17th century Venice was discovered in Chillingham Castle in Northumbria in 1932 and purchased for the Museum with the help of the National Art Collections Fund.
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Torah scrolls have elaborate mantles and sets of silver ornaments; bells (rimmonim) or a crown, a breastplate, and a pointer to be used in reading. The Jewish Museum specialises in English silver, much originating from the important 18th century London synagogues now defunct, but there are many fine examples from elsewhere in Europe, especially Italy, Holland and Germany.

Much Sabbath and festival observance takes place in the home. Jewish homes have a mezuzah containing prayers written on parchment attached to the doorway, and every observant home will have Sabbath candlesticks and wine goblets, a Hanukah lamp and a spice box for the ceremony of Havdalah that concludes the Sabbath.

* Pair of silver rimmonim from the New Synagogue, 1767 (click to view larger image)
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Italian bone mezuzah, 15th-16th century (click to view larger image) * As well as marking the Jewish calendar, personal and family possessions may be used at important stages in the life cycle, such as birth, marriage and death. The Museum has a small but important group of marriage rings and exquisite Italian cradle charms, believed to protect mother and baby against the dangers of childbirth. * Italian gold and enamel marriage ring, 19th century (click to view larger image)

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