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Obj. ID: 36245
Sacred and Ritual Objects
  Circumcision knife, Italy, circa 1800

© Gross Family Collection, Photographer: Bar Hama, Ardon, -

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.

The use of a knife in the circumcision ceremony is to cleanly cut off the foreskin of the male sexual organ. While in most of the world, the knife is in the regular straight form, the traditional circumcision knife has a unique form in Italy and some parts of the Ottoman Empire. It is very similar to an Oyster knife but often carries a Hebrew inscription, as does this example, which shows a Biblical quotation from the Psalms and the name of the mohel owner.

Inscription: Side 1: I am Avraham Veneziani Side 2: I rejoice at Thy Word (Psalms 119:162)

For similar object see CJA object 2615.

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

For similar object see CJA object 2615.

6 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Circumcision knife | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
circa 1800
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Silver, stone, Engraved, Set
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Open: Height: 5.5 cm, Length: 15.8 cm, Depth: 0.4 cm Closed: Height: 4 cm, Length: 8.8 cm, Depth: 0.4 cm
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
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
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
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
Type
Documenter
|
Author of description
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Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconstruction
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Section Head
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Language Editor
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Donor
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Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |