- 126
Omer Calendar, Holland: Early 18th century
Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- parchment, wood, glass
Ink and gouache on parchment, fitted in a wood and glass cabinet with internal rollers and four decorative turning knobs(height of scroll 10 ½ in.: 265 mm; overall dimensions of cabinet 20 ¾ x 21 ¼ x 5 ½ in). Text written in square Hebrew script. Access panel on rear of cabinet.
Catalogue Note
an exceptionally rare example of an early decorated dutch omer calendar
Beginning at the end of the seventeenth century, decorative scrolls and plaques were produced in order to facilitate the observance of the biblical commandment to enumerate the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot. In this calendar, the three tiers of numbers, from top to bottom, represent: the day of the omer; the week; and the day of the week. The artist has presented each number in independently framed panels that are exuberantly decorated with birds and floral motifs. After completing the daily omer count, the manuscript would be rotated to the next day's illustrated panels, by turning the knobs connected to the internal wooden rollers.
Beginning at the end of the seventeenth century, decorative scrolls and plaques were produced in order to facilitate the observance of the biblical commandment to enumerate the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot. In this calendar, the three tiers of numbers, from top to bottom, represent: the day of the omer; the week; and the day of the week. The artist has presented each number in independently framed panels that are exuberantly decorated with birds and floral motifs. After completing the daily omer count, the manuscript would be rotated to the next day's illustrated panels, by turning the knobs connected to the internal wooden rollers.
LITERATURE:
Grace Cohen Grossman, Jewish Art (1995), p. 224; Joods Historisch Museum, Guide Jewish Historical Museum (1995), p. 54.