An Illustrated Al Ha-Gefen Plaque (Blessing Recited after Drinking Wine) [Germany: 18th century]

This wall-hanging is an exceedingly rare example of an 18th century illustrated panel created exclusively to present the blessing recited after drinking wine.  Indeed, it is the only such plaque known to feature a printed border with an etching designed specifically for this use. The prayer is handwritten in the central panel and surrounded with highly detailed imagery including: illustrations of Moses and Aaron on either side of the text panel; smaller vignettes of two of the spies carrying an oversized cluster of grapes (at left); and a scene of Elijah receiving food from the ravens (at right).  The depiction of the spies is based on Numbers, 13:23 and the image of Elijah and the ravens on I Kings, 17:6. The scene of the returning spies is widely known. However, the representation of Elijah may have been based on a similar image found on the title page of Sefer Meliz Yosher printed in Amsterdam in 1688.  The upper and lower registers feature roundels which highlight the phrases added to the basic prayer when it is recited on the Sabbath, on Festivals or on Rosh Hodesh (the holiday of the New Moon).  The artist has provided creative illustrations for each of these special occasions.