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Img. ID: 2664

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Unknown,
The coffin has a rectangular form, with a flat rectangular lid. The two long sides are decorated with the same pattern, that appears also on the lid, with slight changes. Only one of the narrow sides is decorated. The long sides of the coffin are decorated with three registers. The central register is decorated with a repeating pattern of intersecting diagonal lines in bead and reel pattern, forming rhombi and triangles. In three of the seven rombi, a Menorah impression was added (on the first, the last and the central rombi). The Menorah is composed of six curved branches with central shaft, and stands on two legged base. The seven branches are composed of rounded links that culminate in flames. Within each of the rest four rhombi and the triangles is a flower with eight petals in a circle. The upper and the lower registers are decorated with the same pattern: a band of Trailing vine branch, bearing tendrils, leaves and clusters of grapes. The trailing vine is inhabited with a repeted motif (twice in each band): A robustic face with sharpened ears (Satir?) in profile is depicted four times: One on each side and facing the center, and two in the center, facing them. Between them is an alternatly repeating pattern: an amphora and a broad hemispheric ribbed bowl with two birds standing on the rim, one bird is bending to drink and the other one is stretching its head forward. One of the narrow sides of the coffin is decorated with an architectual design with an arch supported by two pillars. Inside the arch, is a menorah flanked by the mahta and a shofar to the left, and the four spieces to the right. The two pillars are fluted, their bases are composed of three fillets and Corinthian capitals. The arch is decorated with a design of laurel leaves and a small rossette in the center. The Menorah is almost identical to those on the long sides,exept for a three legged base, which two lateral legs bend toward the outside, and the central one splits into three. The Mahta has a square scoop and a crooked handle. The four spieces are depicted together in a bundle, among them is an Etrog(?). The lulav branch is with closed leaves. The decoration along the length of the lid is similar in its arrangment and its decoration to the one on the long walls of the coffin. The number of the rhombi is nine, and their shape is not elonged as the rhombi on the long side. The Menorot and ritual vessels are similar to the one described on the narrow side, and they are arranged vertically.
Name/Title
The Menorah lead-coffin from Beth She'arim | Unknown
Object
Object Detail
Side view
Settings
Unknown
Date
4th century CE
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown (Unknown)
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period Detail
Collection
Unknown | Coffin no.1
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Material / Technique
The coffin is made out of cast lead sheets. The ends of the sheets were welded together. The edges of the flat lid made of one sheet are bent down and folded at the corners.
Carved stamps impressed into a soft mould, into which lead was cast. On both long sides are three impressions, one in the center and two on the sides, that sealed the coffin. Upon them are two medalions that
carry an unidentified pattern (a cross?)
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
31 cm. (body)
6 cm. (lid)
Length
Width
33.5 cm. (body)
36 cm. (lid)
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Subject
Condition
The bottom of the coffin has partly desintegrated. One edge of the lid is slightly broken, and one of the long sides is slighly broken on the lower part. The impressions are broken.
Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents
Codicology
Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
Coin Series
Coin Ruler
Coin Year
Denomination
Signature
Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Summary and Remarks
Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
The coffin was found in tomb no.1, (near catacomb no.20).
Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography
Avigad,N., Beth Shearim III, p.173-174, Pl.LXII-LXIII
Short Name
Full Name
Volume
Page
Type
Documenter
| T.M. (D.S.) 1982, O.S. 1998
Author of description
|
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
|
Language Editor
|
Donor
|
Negative/Photo. No.