Torah Ark decoration
Early 20th century
Medium/TechniqueCarved and painted wood
DimensionsHeight x width: 48.3 × 114.3 cm (19 × 45 in.)
Credit LineGift of Eric M. Zafran in memory of a great museum director, Perry T. Rathbone, and a great art mentor, Ida Meltzer
Accession number2019.13
On View
Not on viewClassificationsSculpture
InscriptionsInscribed: “In memory of Lipeh, son of Hannah, and Peshe, daughter of Rabbi Menachem Mendil (or Mendel/Mendle)”ProvenanceProbably from a synagogue in Brooklyn, NY [see note]. Mid-1970s, purchased in Brooklyn by Sy Rappaport, New York and Florida; November 11, 2018, anonymous (consigned by Sy and Susan Rappaport) sale, Slotin Folk Art, Buford, GA, lot 117, to Eric Zafran; 2019, gift of Eric Zafran to the MFA. (Accession Date: February 20, 2019)NOTE: According to the auction house at the time of the 2018 sale, this came from a synagogue in Brooklyn that closed; its contents were saved and sold to a local dealer.
