Torah wimpel

Name/Title

Torah wimpel

Entry/Object ID

K_1026

Description

Decorated Wimpel, Signed by the Artist – Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 1797 Wimpel (Torah binder), commemorating the birth of the child Yechiel son of Dov Ber Wolfenbüttel. Sandersleben, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, Sivan 5557 [1797]. Composed of four nearly identically-sized linen sheets sewn together. At the center, the following inscription appears: "Dedicated by the child Yechiel son of R. Dov Ber / known as Wolfenbüttel / born / under the sign of Gemini / Friday, the eve of Shabbat, 15th Sivan 5557; may G-d let him be raised to Torah, marriage, good deeds, and to a ripe old age, Amen Selah". The wimpel is richly adorned throughout with vibrant, colorful illustrations – primarily vegetal designs interspersed with a variety of symbolic and decorative motifs, including: a pair of cornucopias, a peacock, urns, a pair of twins (alluding to the zodiac sign Gemini) within an ornate frame flanked by two angels, baskets of flowers, a figure holding floral garlands, a stork and other birds, a decorative frame surrounding the words "G-d", a Torah scroll topped with a crown, a wedding scene with bride, groom, and officiating rabbi in contemporary attire flanked by two horn-blowers, a hand placing a coin in a charity box, and a pair of spectacles. At the end of the wimpel, within a large jug-shaped cartouche, appears the artist's signature: "Moshe HaLevi of Sandersleben".

Made/Created

Artist

Moshe HaLevi of Sandersleben

Date made

1797

Place

* Untyped Place

Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Dimensions

Height

356.5 cm

Material

ink and paint on linen