Obj. ID: 39325
Sacred and Ritual Objects Brit Milah Textile, Tetuan, 1867
The following description was prepared by William Gross:
Circumcision for the Jewish male is commanded by the Torah to be performed eight days after the birth of the male child. Surrounding this custom are many different types of objects for use on that day.
This embroidery was crafted by Rachma bat Yitzhak Atiah for chair of Elijah, used in the ceremony of Brit Milah. The finely worked embroidery is an unusual creation from the area of Spanish morocco and of a particularly early date for Moroccan objects. The textile apparently covered the back of the chair. The dedicatory inscription is embroidered on a more delicate piece of canvas than the rest of the textile. The style of the piece shows strong European influence, something that was far more extensive in Spanish Morroco than in the rest of the country. There exist another piece of the same size and from the same hand for the wedding. Its whereabouts is presently unknown.
Inscription: This is the chair of Eliyahu Hanavi, of blessed memory. The year [Chronogram of Psalms 18:29] Thou dost light my lamp (5)627 [1867], by the hands of Rachma, daughter of Rav Yitzhak Atiah, may he rest in Eden. Ha-Malach Hagal Oti me-Kol Ra'.....