Bidspirit auction | Silver Amulet, Sheet of Fabric

Silver Amulet, Sheet of Fabric and Embroidered Shoes – Trieste, Late 19th Century – Made to Mark the Birth of a Daughter in the Coen Ara Family of Trieste - Set of items made to mark the birth of a daughter in the Coen Ara family of Trieste – one of the city's wealthiest and most distinguished Jewish families. [Trieste, Italy, late 19th century]. Silver, cut and repoussé (filigree); ink on parchment; embroidered textile with cutwork and lace; satin shoes embroidered with silk and metal threads. The present set comprises three items made to mark the birth of a daughter in the Coen Ara family of the Jewish community of Trieste: • Amulet pendant, made of silver filigree and designed in the shape of a heart. The front contains an inner compartment for insertion of a parchment amulet, with a removable cover embossed with the word ”Shaddai”. Suspension ring at the top of the pendant. For a similar item, see: Isaiah Shachar, The Feuchtwanger Collection: Tradition and Jewish Art, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1971, p. 238, item 802 (Hebrew edition). • Large rectangular white sheet of cloth, presumably intended for swaddling the infant, bordered with delicate lace. The lower part of the cloth bears the name ”VIRGINIA COEN ARA” in capital letters. Beneath the name appears the coat of arms of the Coen Ara family, incorporating both parts of the family name: a pair of hands spread in the Priestly Blessing, symbolizing ”Coen”, alongside a flaming altar symbolizing ”Ara” (Latin: ara – altar). The emblem is encircled by a wreath of branches and surmounted by a crown-shaped ornament. For documentation of an identical family coat of arms engraved on a gold signet ring belonging to David Raphael Coen Ara, see: Shalom Trieste, gli itinerari dell'ebraismo, Comune di Trieste, Trieste, 1998, p. 151. • Pair of white satin infant shoes, decorated with rich, colorful embroidery in red silk and golden metal threads. Silver amulet: approx. 6.5X4.5 cm. Good condition. Cloth: 88X46 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor unraveling to margins. Pair of shoes: approx. 10 cm. Good-fair condition. Tears, stains and wear. Provenance: Sotheby's, Tel Aviv, 18-19 April 1990, Lot 197.