Jewish Art

Alphabet of the Angel Metatron

(ART/MISDRAH) THE ALPHABET OF THE ANGEL METATRON. A porfolio containing twenty-two original prints by David Moss. Contained in an acrylic holder also suitable for use as a frame. Berkeley, CA: Bet Alpha Editions, 2000. Laid in is The Midrash of the Alphabet of Metatron translated into English by Yoni Moss. Each print is hand-colored and numbered. Each print is also signed by the artist, David Moss. Fine condition.
Standard portfolio (1/130 sets) $950

Deluxe portfolio (1/22 sets with double portfolio and special 3-part frame) $1800

The angel Metatron, Angel of the Divine Presence, appeared during a conversation between Rabbi Ishmael with the forefather Enoch. Though angels were thought to have left their footprints, as described by the prophet Ezekiel, Metatron's anatomy was thought only to be of fire. It is his ancient alphabet that may be the only record of his footprints. It likely was the first and original Hebrew alphabet as seen in Sefer Raziel, the first book of Jewish magic, given to Adam in the Garden of Eden by the angel Raziel. Each letter of the alphabet, by its structure and design teaches a message, as a midrash and educational message comes forth. This is a brilliant work, more than art; it is a language of the soul.

Mane-Katz, Abraham Krol, Shlomo Katz, Shalom of Safed,
Theo Tobiasse, Zev Raban, Arthur Szyk

Shalom Aleichem's Fiddler

MANE-KATZ. Douze Lithographs pour Stempeniou de Cholem Aleikhem. (Twelve lithographs of Stempeniou by Shalom Aleikem) with a Preface by Pierre Mazar. Boston: Boston Book and Art Shop. Andre Sauret-Monte Carlo-1966. Printed in France by Mourlot. All images plate signed. Full color prints measuring 20 1/2" x 27". Selected images available, each: (click to see larger image and/or order)
$ 300 each

Images of Russian village life, weddings scenes, portraits in vivid colors and pastels, centered around the figure of the violinist Stempeniou , inspired by the stories of Shalom Aleichem.
Mane-Katz was born in 1894 in the city of Kremenchug, Russia to orthodox Jewish parents. His early art education began in Vilna and Kiev. In 1913 he moved to Paris to study under Cormon at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, leaving this city periodically to spend time in Russia and the United States. In 1958 he settled in Haifa, Israel. His art, both paintings and sculpture, has chiefly represented the simple traditional Jewish life as lived in the late 19th century. He is widely considered to be a fundamental example of the Jewish expressionist.

The Four Seasons of a Romance
KATZ, Shlomo. The Four Seasons Portfolio. Four original hand screened serigraphs. San Francisco: Strictly Limited Editions. Pulled at Atelier Barak, October 1984, Netanya, Israel. Each print signed and numbered by the artist. Edition limited to 350 prints. $ 3000
Exquisite series portraying Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter; respectively symbolizing the four stages of human affection-— Courtship (Spring), Romance (Summer), Commitment (Fall) and Alliance (Winter). SHLOMO KATZ was born in 1937 at Lodz, Poland and immigrated to a kibbutz in Palestine in 1945. He studied art in Paris at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in the early 1960's. Shlomo's work grew to incorporate an original technique of oil painting on a gilded metal surface. The result recalls medieval icons on the one hand and oriental miniatures on the other. These ancient resources combine to form a totally modern image with a light humorous touch and noble character. Shlomo died in 1993.

The following selected images are available individually:

KATZ, Shlomo. Who Knows One? Limited Edition serigraph from the Passover Portfolio. Image size measuring approximately 21" x 16". (click to see larger image)
$ 1000

Recalling a Byzantine icon, this image portrays 13 separate scenes in the order of the riddles in the song.

SHALOM OF SAFED (Shalom Moscovitz) lived for nearly 80 years in the hills of Galilee. Safed, his home, is the birthplace of Jewish mysticism and kabbalah, and as a member of the Hasidic sect, Shalom was heir to this rich tradition. A humble watchmaker, Shalom's artistic talents were discovered late in life. Within a short time he attained a worldwide reputation as a profound naif painter. Shalom died in 1980.
Signed and Numbered Lithographs printed by Atelier Mourlot in Paris in a minimum of 25 colors. All are very rare on the market today. Provenance: Daniel Doron, agent for Shalom of Safed, purchased by Historicana directly from him 11 years ago.

SHALOM OF SAFED. The Judgement of Solomon. Plate signed lithograph measuring 14" x 20". Edition limited to 500. (click to see larger image)
$ 150

An unusual use of perspective prevails in this rendering of Solomon's judgement over the fate of a baby claimed by two women. Solomon's gesture is reinforced by the soldier poised to cut the child in two while the mother prostrates herself, grabbing his sword.

THEO TOBIASSE was born in Yaffa, Israel in 1927 but returned with his family, for economic reasons, to their native Lithuania. When the Jewish pogroms became increasingly intolerable Theo's father moved them to Paris and (what he thought) was safety. Financial difficulties prevented them from fleeing further and Tobiasse spent the remainder of the War hidden in an apartment found by their concierge. These impressionable young days were spent with chess and art. The Bible and his impressionistic re-telling of it figures predominately in Tobiasse's work as do the universal images of the common man and woman.

Ethics Illuminated

Ethics of the Fathers, Pirkei Avot. Yonah WEINRIB, Illuminator and Calligrapher. New York: Judaica Illuminations, 1992. Limited Edition portfolio of 49 large, folio-size art prints, gold stamped and embossed. Custom made leather case. (click to see larger image)
$ 4000

SIGNED by the artist. An elaborate, illuminated rendering of the most famous fundamental and well-known moral teachings of Jewish tradition. Hebrew and English text. Highly suitable as a presentation gift with recipient or family name gold-embossed on the cover. Eight full page images individually signed by the artist, may be individually framed.

The Liberty Bell and Jewish Freedom: A Prized Symbol of American Judaica

BRONZE LIBERTY BELL HANUKKAH LAMP by Manfred Anson. New York, 1999. Bronze. Measures 12" from top of the Servant Lamp Bell to the solid, cylindrical base. Span of lamp measures 14" wide. Branched candle fonts detach from the large Liberty Bell base. Designer name and number inscribed on the verso of the servant lamp. Each bell is engraved with the name and dates of important Revolutionary era Jewish Americans. The entire Hanukkah lamp is cast by hand and hand-finished. It is one of only 11 original pieces, each individually cast. Anson is also the designer of the Statue of Liberty Hanukkah Lamp which was produced in 1986 in honor of the centennial of Lady Liberty and is featured in numerous prominent museum collections. Fine Condition.
$ 5500

Servant Lamp:
Haym Salomon 1740-1785. Financier of the Revolution. His interactions with bills of exchange kept the United States Bank afloat during the nation's infancy.

Left to right:
Myer Meyers 1723-1795. Famous 18th century silversmith. Prominent in New York congregational life.
Aaron Lopez 1731-1795. Merchant. Shipper. Generous contributor to the establishment of the Jewish community in Newport, Rhode Island.
David S. Franks 1743-1793. Merchant, Rev. War officer. Patriot Confidant to Jefferson, Adams and Franklin. Appointed Cashier to the Bank of the United States.
Rev. M. Gershom Seixas 1746-1816. 1st native born Jewish minister in the U.S. Known for his politically charged sermons on the spirit of Justice.
Francis Salvador 1747-1776. Merchant. Patriot. 1st Jew to hold state office in South Carolina and the first Jew to give his life in the Revolutionary War.
Judah Touro 1775-1854. New Orleans merchant. Philanthropist. The first Jewish American to bequeath most of his large fortune to Jewish agencies.
Rebecca Gratz 1781-1869. Philanthropist. Founder of several organizations dedicated to the Education and care of Jewish children.
Uria P. Levy 1792-1862. U.S. Naval Officer. Instrumental in abolishing the use of corporal punishment in the Navy.

BASE INSCRIPTION: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof LEXXVVX The Province of Pennsylvania for the State House PhiladA By Order of the Assembly/Pass and Stow PhiladA MDCCCLIII"

SZYK, Arthur (1894-1951). We stock the largest number of Original works of art by Arthur Szyk in the world. In addition we also offer a wide range of his prints and illustrated books. For a list of pieces available and prices, visit our website at www.szyk.com.

Shalom Aleichem's Fiddler
MANE-KATZ. Douze Lithographs pour Stempeniou de Cholem Aleikhem. (Twelve lithographs of Stempeniou by Shalom Aleikem) with a Preface by Pierre Mazar. Boston: Boston Book and Art Shop. Andre Sauret-Monte Carlo-1966. Printed in France by Mourlot. All images plate signed. Full color prints measuring 20 1/2" x 27". Selected images available, each: (click to see larger image and/or order) $ 300 each

Images of Russian village life, weddings scenes, portraits in vivid colors and pastels, centered around the figure of the violinist Stempeniou , inspired by the stories of Shalom Aleichem. Mane-Katz was born in 1894 in the city of Kremenchug, Russia to orthodox Jewish parents. His early art education began in Vilna and Kiev. In 1913 he moved to Paris to study under Cormon at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, leaving this city periodically to spend time in Russia and the United States. In 1958 he settled in Haifa, Israel. His art, both paintings and sculpture, has chiefly represented the simple traditional Jewish life as lived in the late 19th century. He is widely considered to be a fundamental example of the Jewish expressionist.