- Free entry with National Art Pass.
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A mizrach is a traditional Jewish wall tablet or plaque showing the direction of Jerusalem for prayer.
Montefiore Mizrach by British, circa 1860s
© Jewish Museum
Details
- Medium:
- Scagliola tablet (imitation marble or pietra dura made from a fine plaster of powdered selenite mixed with glue and coloured) Dimensions: 119 x 89 x 4cm
- Art Fund grant:
- £10,000 ( Total: £20,000)
- Acquired in:
- 2010
- Vendor:
- Marlborough Rare Books
This tablets iconography incorporates traditional Jewish elements - a menorah and the tablets with the Ten Commandments inscribed in Hebrew - with elements from the Montefiore coat-of-arms. It was produced especially for Sir Moses Montefiore, one of the most prominent figures in British-Jewish history. Montefiore was a City financier and banker who went on to devote himself to philanthropy and alleviating the distress of Jews all over the world. Despite his importance, the museum has not been able to represent him adequately in the collection until now. This mizrach will be installed on the eastern wall of the museum's central staircase, a key architectural feature at the core of the new museum.
Provenance
Christie's, 2010; Marlborough Rare Books.
Venue details
Entry details
Free entry with National Art Pass (standard entry charge is £7.50)
Mon – Thu, Sun, 10am – 5pm
Fri, 10am – 2pm
Closed Sat
Closed Jewish Festivals, 25 – 26 Dec and 1 Jan