An embroidered velvet matzah bag, probably German, 19th Century

cotton threads on red velvet with a metallic thread fringe.
height 21 in.; width 17 1/2 in.
53.3 cm; 44.5 cm

This bag was designed to hold the three matzahs eaten at the Passover seder. It has three compartments to separate the matzahs, each one identified with a tab representing one of the three groups of the Jewish people: Kohen (priests), Levi (Levites) and Yisrael (Israelites). Also inscribed with other Passover blessings and with the name Gisela on reverse.

Several scattered stains and a few losses in text. Linen backed.
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