Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 88

The Manuscripts, Collectibles and Space Auction

Judaica

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 385		Pair of Magnificent Large Silver Rimonim (Torah Finials), Vienna, Austria, c. 1864-90. Austria crown at top, large leaves around, with nine big hanging bells, all above a column topped by spreading leaves. Two hallmarks punched into the upper base indicate that this is 800 fine silver, made by Vinzenz Czokally. The business Waoerbel & Czokally at Halbgasse 7, Vienna was established in 1864 by Vincenz Czokally. In 1890, it passed to Anton Czokally and he was joined in c. 1892 by Carl Waoebel, and the business was renamed Waoerbel & Czokally around that time. It is thought that Anton Czokally retired from the business in 1900. Following the death of Carl Waoerbel in 1913 the business passed to Josef Waoerbel. The company was in production until 1927. An impressive piece of precisely attributed Judaica. 31 x 11cm. In excellent condition. Estimated Value $9,500 - 12,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 386		Silver Havdalah Compendium Cup with Hebrew Prayer, Germany, 19th Century. The spice box (usually containing cloves or sweet pepper) is picked up with the right nhand, and the following blessing is recited: "Blessed are You, God, King of the Universe, Who has created spices." Those present respond "Amen." The leader then smells the spices and passes around the spice box for all to smell. The last three words of the aforementioned prayer are inscribed in Hebrew at the top of this cup. Below the inscription is a grape vine and holes, so that the spices can be smelled. And beneath that is a ring of flowers (roses?) in high relief. The cover is surrounded by embossed framed spays of flowers, with three leaves extending from the top--that hold the Havdalah candle. Unusual design. Height: 12cm. Excellent condition. Estimated Value $5,000 - 8,000. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 387		Silver Gilt Passover Wine Cup, Berlin, Germany, 17th century. Repousse pomegranate or pine cone design. Hebrew inscription "Pesach" plus three Hebrew letters--kaf, shin, aleph. Lion of Judah holds up tree branches containing cup. "B" (Berlin) hallmark at top and bottom. Very similar to "Wine cup for special occasions from Nuremberg, end of 16th century," illustrated on p. 86 of Kanof's "Jewish Ceremonial Art," where it is described as "Commissioned in honor of a visit of Rabbi Jakob Joshua ben Zvi Hirsch Falk to the home of a parishioner." 27 x 6.8cm. Excellent condition, though top has been repaired with a screw and nut holding the upper splay of leaves to the cap. Rare and desirable. Estimated Value $15,000 - 25,000. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $16,800
Lot 388		Large Silver Polish Megillah, Late 17th Century. Case of hammered silver features a larle portrayal of Ahasuerus King of Persia holding a scepter, and Queen Esther, both wearing crowns and seated on thrones beneath a royal canopy. They are surrounded by embossed scroll work and flowers. The Megillah is topped by a silver crown, and the parchment scroll is pulled out with a handle in the shape of a beautifully sculpted outstretched silver lion. 42 x 6.6cm. A magnificent piece in almost perfect condition. Estimated Value $12,500 - 17,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 389		Silver Spice Box, Frankfurt, Germany, c. 1740. With five original pennants and hinged door. Virtually identical to the spice box pictured on p. 81 of "The Art of World Religions: Judaism" by Michael Kaniel, except that the four figures are missing. Kaniel writes: "The tower form itself probably resulted from the fact that spices were a rare and valuable commodity in medieval times and were frequently stored in fortified towers. This spice box has traces of gilt on the swans serving as legs, the flag turrets, around the window frames, etc. 25 x 8cm. A highly desirable iconic early spice box design, in excellent condition. Acquired by the consignor from Kanael at his shop "The Collector" in the King David Hotel. Estimated Value $12,500 - 17,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 390		Silvert Havdalah Compendium, Germany, 18th Century. Undecorated, with two hallmarks. Havdalah is a blessing to mark the end of the Sabboth. A candle is lit, a blessing is said over the flame, and a box of aromatic spices is passed around for all to enjoy. "The concept of combining several ceremonial requirements of the Havdalah ceremony into one beautifully designed object is uniquely German" (Kestenbaum). Very similar to Havdalah illustrated in figure 111, "Jewish Ceremonial Art" by Abram Kanof. 20 x 7.5cm. Excellent condition. Estimated Value $7,500 - 12,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 391		Silver Chanukah Lamp (Menorah), Germany, 18th Century. Includes separate silver shamash. Traces of gilt on emblazoned Lion of Judah. Cast. Backplate features an oval shield containing a menorah with six bulbous arms plus one at the top, presumably referring to the menorah in the ancient Jerusalem Temple Menorah. Holders can accomodate oil or candles. Remarkable design includes a baboon, on a bar extending from the lion, that holds a receptacle for the shamash. There are four baboon-shaped legs holding the Chanukiah. Note that there is nothing in Jewish literature referring to baboons. Perhaps the artisan that made this had been fascinated by baboons he observed in the world's first zoo--the Tiergarten Schonbrunn, in Vienna, that opened its doors in 1752. 22.5 x 17cm. Excellent condition. Very rare. Estimated Value $8,500 - 12,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 392		Pewter Etrog Box with Hebrew Inscriptions, Germany, Late 18th-Early 19th Century. Raised on four paw feet. Bottom portion is embossed with the Hebrew inscription: "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day of Sukkot the fruit of the citron tree." Sometimes translated as "the fruit of a beautiful tree." The etrog, a citron in the lemon family, would be placed on a soft material in the box. According to the Book of Leviticus, the etrog is one of the four plants which Jews are required to bring into the sukkah (tent-like structure) on Sukkot. Appropriately, the cover of this etrog box is embossed with the four plants--an etrog, a palm branch, two willow branches, and three myrtle branches. Inside the cover, an angel hallmark indicates that it is made of the highest quality pewter. 15.7 x 19cm. Good to Very Good condition, with light wipe marks but no problems. Rare so nice. Estimated Value $6,000 - 10,000. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 393		Silver Purim Grager (Noisemaker), Germany, Late 18th-Early 19th Century. During the reading of the Megillah, every time the name of Haman is mentioned, children whirl their gragers to make a deafening noise to drown out the name of the man who wanted to kill all of the Jews in Persia. The superb design of this Grager features Mordechai holding a pennant attached above the handle. At the end there is a circle with the figures of Esther, with Hebrew inscriptiion alongside: "Blessed be Esther who interceded on my behalf;" Zeresh, with Hebrew inscription: "Cursed is Zeresh [wife of Haman] that terrified me;" Mordechai, with Hebrew: "Blessed is Mordechai the Jew;" Ahasuerus with Hebrew: "May Ashvebkosh (sic) also be remembered favorably;" and finally Haman with Hebrew: "Cursed is Haman who sought to destroy me." 20.4 x 13.3cm. A very artistic Grager in exceptional condition. Estimated Value $5,500 - 9,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 394		Silver Kiddush Cup, England, c.1775. Ex. PB84 (Division of Sotheby's) Auction Oct. 27, 1976, lot no. 128, where it was descibed as "George III Silver Becher, London, circa 1775, the bowl with gilt interior with original Hebraic chasing. Height: 6 3/4 inches." The Hebrew inscription is from Exodus 20:8: "Remember the Sabbath Day to sanctify it." It is inscribed within a shield, surrounded by a wreath of leaves and flowers. There are three silver hallmarks: a shield (weak), a lion (indicating Sterling Silver), and a monogram WH (upside down). 17.2 x 8.7cm. Surfaces have light wipe marks, as would be expected, but no scratches or damages. Interestingly, the WH hallmark most closely resembles that used by the Boston silversmith William Holmes (1716-1783). Estimated Value $3,500 - 5,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,600
Lot 395		Silver Spice Box by Aaron Katz, England, 1892. Filigreed box in Russian style. Tower is surrounded by four movable eagles, and is surmounted with original pennant. Hallmarks are "A.K," registered July, 1890 by Aaron Katz; lion facing left, indicating Sterling Silver; leopard's head, the townmark for London; and an "R" within a shield, designating the year 1892. 34.4 x 9cm. Excellent condition. Interestingly, Aaron Katz's name turns up in the historical records when he testified in a counterfeiting trial held in the Old Bailey on November 13, 1893, saying: "(Interpreted from Yiddish) I am a silversmith, of 24, Winterton Street, Commercial Road--I speak Yeddish (sic)--I first employed the prisoner as a silversmith twelve or thirteen weeks ago, at 14s. a week, and he worked for me about six weeks." The defendant was found guilty of counterfeiting sovereigns, and received a sentence of "Three years penal servitude." Estimated Value $7,500 - 10,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 396		Massive Silver Yad (Torah Pointer) and Spice Box, Hungary, 18th Century. Adorned with six large and eleven smaller multi-colored cabochon semi-precious stones. The bird atop the yad looks remarkably like the raven from the Coat of Arms of Matthias Corvinus, above the gate at the Royal Palace, Buda Castle. There is a Hebrew inscription for the blessing of spices: "Who has created spices (besamim)," around the removable top, indicating that this yad also served in a dual role as a spice box. Length: 34.5cm, Diameter: 3.2cm. Very good condition, with a bit of verdigris beneath the hand. Estimated Value $3,500 - 6,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,600
Lot 397		Pair of Silver Rimonim (Torah Finials), Isfahan, Persia, 17th Century. Purchased by consignor in Isfahan. Each is inscribed with birds among plants and other abstract designs. Eight hanging grooved bells in the shape of sea shells. The Rimonim correspond to the hems of the special robe which was fringed with golden bells and blue and purple pomegranates (Exodus 28:31-35. Each 26.8 x 4.3cm. Very good condition. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 398		Wooden Megillah with Bone and Ebony Top, Italy, 17th Century. The vellum scroll is decorated with hand painted illustrations with gilt, opening with the standing figures of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, in a crimson robe, and Queen Esther, both wearing crowns. The appearance of fish on the Megillah suggests an origin of Sicily or Naples. 45cm long. Good to Very Good condition, with some fading here and there in scroll. Very desirable. Estimated Value $11,500 - 16,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 399		Brass Chanukah Lamp (Menorah), Italian, c. 19th Century. Includes shamash. Extremely unusual and compelling design features two Africans, in grass skirts, blowing horns. There are two cherubs at the top, plus faces as crescents of the moon. Also, a topless winged male figure and an open-mouthed face. 26.5 x 21.4cm. Very good condition, with slight traces of verdigris. Estimated Value $3,500 - 5,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 400		Silver Miligree Megillah, Middle East, 18th Century. The Scroll of Esther is read every Purim in all synagogues. It was also a traditional gift of the betrothed to her future husband for use in the home. This is virtually identical to the Megillah pictured in figure 186 in Kanof's "Jewish Ceremonial Art." Length: 25.8cm. Very good condition, with complete parchment scroll. Estimated Value $5,500 - 8,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $5,520
Lot 401		Pewter Passover Seder Plate, Holland, Dated 1808. Plate dates c. 1780 and Hebrew inscription indicates "Made in the Year (5)568," corresponding to 1808. "ADOLFF LEEKIN/BLOCKTIN" is stamped three times on the back. The design shows two men wearing yarmulkas at either end of a long table. On the table are two teapots, etc., and floating above are three round matzahs, a goblet(?), and a flower. Below the table is a cat, two sons wearing yarmulkas (one carries a flower in each hand), and two younger daughters. There is a circumferential inscription in Hebrew listing 15 steps in the Seder--telling the story of the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt: Kiddush (prayer over the wine), wash hands, dip vegetable in salt and eat, etc. The pewter plate was common at this time as it was much less expensive than silver (which only the wealthiest of families could afford). Older pewter plates were usually purchased at the market and then engraved with the appropriate Passover inscriptions and imagery. Diameter of 37.3cm. Good condition, with some corrosion at bottom, just hitting the top of the inscription. There are some scratches, but the design is virtually unimpaired. Estimated Value $7,500 - 12,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 402		Impressive Chanukah/Shabbos Lamp Designed by Jan Pogorzelsk, Poland, 1861. Jan Pogorzelsk's workshop was in Warsaw, where he only worked in silver-plate. This Chanukiah features eight vessels to hold oil and wicks, plus two shamashes. But why would there be two shamashes? The simplest explanation is that only one was used as a shamash. The reason there were two is that the menorah also served as a Shabbos lamp the rest of the year. Standing behind the vessels are two roosters. The backplate features a botanical design in the center of a shield, surrounded by (attached) grape vines and four palm trees, with hens atop two. A spectacular chanukiah by a master craftsman. 27.4 x 22.6cm. In excellent condition. Estimated Value $3,500 - 6,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 403		Spectacular Large Bronze Tzedakak Box with Latch, Poland, Late 19th Century. Cast with decorative embossed cover, raised Hebrew inscriptions on back cover and spine, and decorative design engraved on three edges. While modern tzedakah boxes are meant to hold coins, this large box--perhaps located in a synagogue--was evidently made to hold paper money. The spine reads "Tzedakah." Front cover features a large eagle wearing a crown, with its right claw atop a sphere and its left claw resting on a pedestal; a Star of David is in the background. The back cover contains a portion of a secular poem by Solomon Ibn Gabirol, a medieval Jewish poet and philosopher, in which he showed a disillusionment with social mores and worldliness, translated as: "Man worries about the loss of his money (i.e. wasting his time); his money (or blood) cannot help, his days will never return." This text is popular today as part of a song by Yossi Green, also sung by Avraham Fried. A masterpiece of craftsmanship that is perhaps the only example extant. 28.2 x 21.2 x 6.3cm. Excellent condition. Estimated Value $6,500 - 9,500. From The Collection of Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold