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Important Judaica

Auction Results: Sotheby’s annual auction of Important Judaica concluded in New York with a total of $3.4 million. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York has privately acquired, for an undisclosed amount, a Magnificent Illuminated Hebrew Bible from Spain, which had previously been scheduled for the auction. Hailing from the renowned collection of Jaqui E. Safra, the illuminated Bible was produced in Castile during the first half of the 14th century and stands as a remarkable testament to the cross-cultural influences in the Golden Age of medieval Spain.  

Auction Details: This year’s sale of Important Judaica features an outstanding selection of rare medieval Hebrew manuscripts and printed books. Highlights include a magnificently Illuminated Medieval Hebrew Bible from Spain (3,500,0000–5,000,000 USD), a newly discovered 13th-century micrographic Hebrew Bible from France (400,000–600,000 USD) and a previously unknown copy of the first edition of the German-Rite Daily Prayer Book accompanied by a unicum Haggadah, printed in Venice, 1519–20 (250,000–350,000 USD). In addition, this sale will include splendid textiles and a fine selection of ritual silver and metalwork, most notably a group of rare 18th-century silver book bindings, including examples from Rome, Venice, Hamburg and Altona, from the estate of Jack Lunzer, Custodian of the Valmadonna Trust Library. The paintings section is distinguished by a magnificent oil of Moses on Mount Sinai by Jean-Léon Gérôme (100,000–150,000 USD) and three works by Arthur Szyk, currently the subject of an important exhibition at the New York Historical Society.