Bidspirit auction | Important Silver “Pidyon Haben” Bowl

Important Silver “Pidyon Haben” Bowl – Galicia, circa 1838 - A magnificent and exceptionally crafted silver bowl, the work of a Galician master silversmith from the early 19th century, featuring rich repoussé decoration of remarkable depth and emotion. At its center unfolds a dramatic depiction of the Binding of Isaac (Akedat Yitzchak) – Abraham raising the knife to fulfill God’s command, the angel above halting his hand, with Eliezer and Ishmael standing behind alongside the donkey, and the ram caught in the thicket beside the altar. The border is adorned with twelve oval medallions, each containing a finely detailed representation of one of the Zodiac signs, framed by ornate scrollwork. The scalloped rim adds elegance and balance, enhancing the sacred and majestic impression of the piece. The underside bears official Austro-Hungarian silver hallmarks used in Galicia (then under Polish administration), along with the maker’s mark “DD.” Comparable examples are recorded in the Jewish Museum of London collection (Item 207), the Stieglitz Collection (p. 315), and the Feuchtwanger Collection (p. 32, Item 52). A similar bowl is illustrated in Jewish Ceremonial Art (1959, p. 146, Item 156), attributed to another silversmith (different maker’s mark). Scholars note that such bowls were likely created as decorative ceremonial objects rather than for actual Pidyon Haben use. The style and craftsmanship are attributed to Dornheim of Lemberg (Lviv), one of the most distinguished Jewish silversmiths of 19th-century Eastern Europe. Dimensions: length 39 cm; width 29 cm; weight 510 g. Condition: Very good. It appears that the bowl was coated, most likely to protect the silver from tarnishing.