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LOT 238:
A Magnificent Wimpel for a Torah Scroll. Western Europe, 1863
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Sold for: $250
Start price:
$
250
Estimated price:
$400 - $600
Auction house commission:
20%
VAT: On commission only
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A magnificent wimpel [belt] for a Torah scroll which was made from the diaper a baby at his circumcision according to the custom of German Jewry.
Linen cloth with pictures of a dove and olive leaves, snakes, a lizard, fish and a marriage canopy. Decorated in calligraphic writing: [baby's name]: "Meir son of Pinchas who is known as Meir son of Pinchas Dreyfus, born on Shabbat 17th Tammuz 1863, may God bring him up to Torah, Chuppah and good deeds for Mazal Tov, Amen Selah".
According to the custom, on the child's first visit to the synagogue at the age of one or three, a short ceremony is held in which the diaper is given to the synagogue as a gift. When the child celebrates his Bar Mitzva at the age of 13, he is called to read from the Torah scroll tied with his diaper. The custom was first mentioned in the book Mingahei Maharil in 1545 and was prevalent in Germany, in the areas of Bohemia and Moravia, Switzerland and Denmark until the 19th century.
Length: 230 cm. Width: 21 cm.
Mostly clean cloth. A few stains. Cloth sewed onto the back to support the original cloth.
Fine condition.
