An Iraqi Large Silver Amulet, Fine Antique Judaica from Iraq

This striking antique silver amulet from Iran is a beautiful example of Persian Jewish craftsmanship. Its scalloped, shield-like form is meticulously ha...

This exceptional antique silver amulet from Iran exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and spiritual depth of Persian Jewish heritage. Shaped in an elegant, lobed diamond form with delicately contoured edges, the amulet is engraved with intricate detail, reflecting both artistic sophistication and religious devotion. At the center, a stylized cartouche is inscribed with Hebrew text, likely invoking divine names or protective blessings — a hallmark of traditional Jewish amulets. Surrounding the central panel, a beautifully flowing engraved border in the form of a pointed arch or mihrab motif lends the piece a sacred architectural presence, often interpreted as a symbolic gateway to divine protection. Further floral and foliate elements are engraved into the design, subtly blending nature with mysticism. Additional Hebrew inscriptions encircle the inner medallion and appear along the edges, each rendered in clean, carefully etched lines. The amulet features four suspension loops — one at each cardinal point — suggesting it may have once been sewn onto clothing, hung in a home, or worn as a protective charm close to the body. Rich in symbolism and cultural meaning, this rare Iranian silver...

This exquisite antique silver amulet from North Africa is a fine example of regional Judaica, rich in spiritual significance and traditional craftsmanship. Small and tablet-shaped, t...

This rare and meaningful silver amulet, crafted in the Land of Israel in 1936, beautifully reflects the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Jewish people during a pivotal moment i...

Amazing and scarce JUDAICA object, we have here one of the most touching jewish objects we had for a long time, this small silver dowry box was made in Algeria in the early 19th century, it is all covered with symbols of jewish faith and of couples, the sliding lid has 2 flanking birds with hamsa (protective hand) on each side and a flower vase in the middle. one side shows two flanking lions with a tree in the middle and the other side shows again two big and two small birds with a flower bowl in the middle, front side has a key hole and next to it there is the Hebrew inscription ס״ט״" which says Siman tov or in English "a good sign" it is taken from the wedding blessing, underneath the lock there is another inscription with the name ״עזיזה בת אברהם בן חמו״ which is the name of the bride, her father and her grandfathers name. the box is full marked a lot of times with the silversmith mark, every side of the box is marked. this box was probably ordered by the grooms family to hold the jewelry they are giving to the bride as dowry, this type of objects are rare and there are just a few of them on museum collections. DOWRY (Heb. נְדֻנְיָה), the property a wife brings to her husband at marriage; the Yiddish equivalent, nadn, is from the same root. The custom of nedunyah became clearly defined and institutionalized only in the talmudic period. In biblical times, mohar (מֹהַר), whereby the groom bought his wife from her father (Gen. 24:53; Ex. 22:15–16; Hos. 3:2), was the accepted practice. It was then customary that the groom give the bride gifts, and that she bring certain property to her husband's home upon marriage: slaves, cattle, real estate, etc. (cf. Gen. 24:59–61; 29; Judg. 1:14ff.; I Kings 9:16). Evidence of the custom of nedunyah is to be found in Tobit (7:14; 8:21) and in the Assuan papyri (Cowley, Aramaic, nos. 15, 18). Gradually, mohar was superseded by the ketubbah custom according to which the husband merely assumed the responsibility of compensation to his wife in case he divorced her: he had to pay her 200 zuzim if she had been a virgin at the time of marriage, and 100 zuzim if a widow or divorcée (see *Ketubbah). By talmudic times, the institution of nedunyah was prevalent; the father gave a dowry to the bride since the daughter was excluded from paternal inheritance. Fifty zuzim (equivalent to the worth of 180 grams of silver) was the minimum amount a father was obliged to give to his daughter (Ket. 6:5). Parents usually gave much more, according to their social standing. Community funds provided the dowry for an orphan or a very poor girl (ibid.; cf. Sh. Ar., YD 251:8). In case of her father's death, the brothers of a minor girl were obliged to give her the minimum dowry, and the court estimated how much her father would have given her above the minimum dowry. The sum was then taken out of the father's estate and given to the daughter upon majority (Ket. 6:6; 68a–69b). In the absence of such an estimate, each daughter was entitled to receive one-tenth of the value of her father's estate in money, or in valuables (Yad, Ishut, 20:4–7; Sh. Ar., EH 113:4). If the father was unable or unwilling to pay the promised dowry at the betrothal ceremony, the groom could refuse to marry his bride (Ket. 13:5; Ket. 108b–109a). Insistence on exact payment of the promised dowry, however, was frowned upon by later rabbinic authorities (Rema to Sh. Ar., EH 2:1). In certain communities it was customary for the groom's father to make a dowry contribution equal to that of the bride's father (Ket. 102b). The dowry, whether given in real estate, slaves, money, or chattel was recorded in the marriage contract (the ketubbah) and in some instances one-third or one-fifth of the actual value of the dowry was added to the sum mentioned in the ketubbah. Based upon a decree enacted by *Simeon b. Shetah (first century C.E.), the Talmud ruled that the husband and his entire property were liable for compensation as stipulated in the ketubbah, either in case he died (when she collected the sum specified in the ketubbah from the heirs) or in case he divorced his wife (Ket. 82b). For the status of the dowry and the husband's rights and obligations, see below. The rabbinic enactments (Takkanot Shum) by R. Jacob *Tam and by the rabbinic synod of the communities of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz (Germany) stipulated that if a woman died...

The well embossed with Hebrew blessings, the wide border with two large quatrefoil panels with scenes of the sacrifice of Isaac and the Five Rabbis of Benei Brak, alternating with tw...

Hallmarked in London in 1922 by Jacob Rosenzweig, this Antique Sterling Silver Breastplate, is of traditional form, decorated with two Lions of Judah holding a depiction of the Crown...

A large Russian silver Jewish Megillah case and scroll Russian, 19th century Measures: height 23cm, diameter 7cm This remarkable piece is a Russian ...