Not currently on display at the V&A

Cover

early 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Palestine (made)

This linen tablecloth would have been used on the Sabbath or festival days. It has been embroidered in coloured wool in chain-stitch. The imagery and Hebrew inscriptions are important in Jewish life and culture. The centre roundel contains depictions of the Temple and the Western (Wailing) Wall at Jerusalem, and the inscription around the centre roundel contains a blessing for the owner. His name, Moses Tzebi, is embroidered above the Temple. The buildings surrounding the centre panel contain the names of famous figures from Jewish history and the Old Testament.

The inscription around the outside edge of the cloth is taken from the kiddush, which is a blessing over the wine that is drunk before the Sabbath meal.


Object details

Categories
Textiles
Embroidery
Religion
Judaism
Object type
Cover
Materials and techniques
Linen embroidered with wool in chain stitch
Linen (Material)
Wool Yarn
Embroidery
Brief description
Jewish; embroidered, 1800s, Palestinian; For use on the Sabbath
Physical description
Linen cover, embroidered with a central compartment containing a representation of the Temple and the Inner Wall at Jerusalem, outlined with floral band and another band containing a Hebrew inscription. Eleven partitions around the centre, inscribed with the names of patriarches and virtues, separated with flowering plants and cypresses. The four corners embroidered with similar buildings and plants, a further inscription around the edges.
Dimensions
  • Approx. irregular damaged edges width: 125cm
  • Approx. irregular damaged edges length: 125cm
Style
Jewish
Marks and inscriptions
  • Hebrew inscription round central rondel (Translations made at time of acquisition by Sir Samuel Montagu)
    Translation
    He who blessed our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, David and Solomon, He shall remember Zion
  • 12 Hebrew inscriptions in partitions around central compartment
    Translation
    (beginning upwards from right to centre) 1) Rabbi Weir 2) Zachariah the prophet 3) Absalom the son of David 4) Joab the son of Seruiah 5) Haggai the prophet 6) Kalba Sabua 7) Simeon the Saddik 8) the Seventy of the Great Sandhedrin 9) the Fathers of the World (i.e., Abraham, Isaac and David) 10) Abner the son of Ner 11) Jesse the father of King David 12) Rab Ahai (or Abai; over the animal)
  • 4 inscriptions in each corner
    Translation
    (Beginning at lower right corner) 1) Rachel, our Mother 2) the Kings of the House of David 3) Hulda the Prophetess 4) Samuel the Prophet
  • Inscription along outside border (Taken from the Kiddush, a Benediction which proclaims the holiness of the Sabbath, and is said over the wine before the evening meal)
Credit line
Given by E. N. Adler, Esq.
Summary
This linen tablecloth would have been used on the Sabbath or festival days. It has been embroidered in coloured wool in chain-stitch. The imagery and Hebrew inscriptions are important in Jewish life and culture. The centre roundel contains depictions of the Temple and the Western (Wailing) Wall at Jerusalem, and the inscription around the centre roundel contains a blessing for the owner. His name, Moses Tzebi, is embroidered above the Temple. The buildings surrounding the centre panel contain the names of famous figures from Jewish history and the Old Testament.

The inscription around the outside edge of the cloth is taken from the kiddush, which is a blessing over the wine that is drunk before the Sabbath meal.
Collection
Middle East Section
Accession number
775-1900

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Record createdNovember 19, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O172706/cover-unknown/
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