Obj. ID: 7555
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Tray, Herat, 1971

The rectangular tray is made of silver.

 The tray has raised borders and two handles. A landscape of a river with a boat, ducks and fish decorate the centre of the tray. It is framed by a rhombus surrounded by foliate pattern. The signs of the twelve tribes in medallions encircle the centre. One medallion bears the seven^branched^menorah^, another medallion bears a star^of^David with the inscription: ציון !Zion!. The medallions in the corners bear a depiction of a lion.

The tray is surrounded by two frames of foliate and floral runners and one frame of geometric pattern. The middle frame bears an inscription:

חזקו % בנים % ואבות % תזכו % לשנים % רבות !Be strong % sons % and fathers % May you live % long % life!

Two round handles are attached to the sides of the tray. The handles are decorated with foliate pattern. The back side of the handles bears the dedicatory inscription:

The right handle:

משה בן אבא דויד נחמד היו )ה' ישמרהו ויחיהו( !

Moses son of Aba David Nehmad, may the Lord protect him and sustain him (int.)!

The left handle: ר!ח ניסן שנת תשלא !Rosh Hodesh (New Moon), Nisan, the year (5)731=(27.3.1971)!