Bidspirit auction | Printed Passover Seder Tablecloth. Persia

Printed Passover Seder Tablecloth. Persia (Iran), [1921] - A rare and intriguing printed Passover Seder tablecloth, featuring texts of the Seder order and instructions for conducting the Seder in Judeo-Persian—an important testament to the written ritual tradition of Persian Jewry in the early 20th century. Such items served both practical and ceremonial purposes, laid on the Seder table for guidance throughout the evening. At the center of the cloth appears a printed dedication: “In memory of the young Nisan Mordechai S., 5681 (1921)”—a personal commemorative inscription that adds a poignant familial and historical dimension to the piece. The tablecloth is richly decorated with ornamental motifs, including stylized plants, birds, and a striking image of a hand holding a circular medallion bearing a Star of David with the word “Zion” at its center—symbolic imagery expressing Jewish identity, tradition, and longing for the Land of Israel. The graphic design, Judeo-Persian language, and distinctive iconography make this tablecloth a particularly rare and significant artifact for the study of Jewish printing, ritual textiles, and the cultural life of Persian Jewish communities. Dimensions: approx. 57 × 58 cm. Condition: Fair—text faded in several areas; light tears; some repairs and staining. A unique Passover object of high cultural and collectors’ value, vividly reflecting the religious life, language, and customs of Persian Jewry in the early 20th century, and well suited to collections of Eastern Judaica, Jewish textiles, or Passover traditions in the Diaspora.