Name/Title
Spanier Arbeit head coveringsEntry/Object ID
K_0173Tags
main displayDescription
One Kippa/Skullcap for Men; One kupke "kupka" for women; two "shepek" for women: These hats were worn on the Sabbath and holidays to cover the hair of married Jewish woman.
"Spanier Arbeit" - translated as "spunwork" derived from the Yiddish word "spinnen"; or as "Spanish Work" meaning a type of work originally produced in Spain prior to expulsion in 1492. The craft was practiced by Jews in Poland and Galicia.
From auction catalog: "Sewing metallic thread on material was a highly skilled craft in Europe that was exclusive to Jews and is known as Spanier Arbeit, Yiddish for 'Spanish handiwork.' This title is derived from the Jews who fled Spain during the Inquisition, who were masters of this technique. Thousands of these Spanish-Jewish refugees settled across Europe, and those who possessed this complex skill of the decorative arts passed it down from parent to child or master to pupil for generations. It is thought that this technique was originated by Jews who decorated textiles for the Second Temple in 515 BCE."
File includes pages from catalog with image and description.Made/Created
Date made
circa 1800Place
Country
PolandContinent
EuropeMaterial
"silver embroidery"
