Name/Title
Papercut for SukkotEntry/Object ID
K_0777Tags
art around buildingDescription
Hand-painted papercut by Yosef Zvi Geiger, for Sukkot, meant to be used as a sukkah decoration, presenting the four beasts mentioned in the Ethics of the Fathers. [Safed], 1910.
This papercut bears depictions of an eagle, lion, gazelle, and leopard, separated by twisting branches bearing leaves, flowers, and buds. The illustrations are in reference to a famous Mishnaic passage from Tractate "Avot" 5:20: " Judah ben Tema said: Be strong as a leopard, and swift as an eagle, and fleet as a gazelle, and brave as a lion, to do the will of your Father who is in heaven." The words of the Mishnaic passage are inscribed on two medallions and on flowers and a piece of paper held in the mouths of the animals. Inscribed on the back, in Hebrew (with abbreviations), are the words "Made in 5670 [= 1910] / Sivan 5670."
The art of papercutting is perhaps the most quintessential type of European Jewish folk art. Eastern European Jewish papercuts assumed many different forms and exhibited a wealth of themes and motifs, to fit a wide range of purposes. They were used as "Mizrah" and "Shiviti" plaques; "Yahrzeit" plaques; "Shir HaMa'alot" (Psalm 121) plaques, believed to give protection to childbearing mothers and newborns; "roizalakh" (rose-shaped ornaments) to decorate the household during the Shavu'ot holiday; "Ushpizin" plaques for the Sukkot holiday; and other forms of items.Made/Created
Date made
1910Place
City
SafedCountry
IsraelRegion
Middle EastContinent
AsiaDimensions
Height
23-1/2 inWidth
23 cm