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Img. ID: 940

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Radovan, Zev,
An oblong mosaic panel decorated the floor of the southern room, facing the entrance to the building. The panel is framed by a plain band. On the right of the panel is a seven-branched menorah flanked on the left by a shofar, and on the right by a mahta (incense shovel). The seven curved branches of the menorah are decorated with knops. The branches are surmounted by seven square lamps with straight burning flames. The menorah stands on a three-legged angular base. The mahta is composed of a rectangular scoop with three raised edges and a long handle. To the left of the mahta are two of the four species: an etrog (citron) and on the far left, a lulav (palm branch) with closed leaves and a bandle with a geometric design. A Greek inscription, consisting of three lines each of one word, is written above the mahta and the etrog. According to M. Avi-Yonah the inscription reads as follows: GREEK, "Blessing to the people" (translation from Greek according to M. Avi-Yonah). The panel is designed to be viewed from the south.
Name/Title
Object Detail
Settings
Unknown
Date
5th century CE
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown (Unknown)
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Period Detail
Collection
Unknown |
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Material / Technique
Tesserae material: Limestone Tessearae arrangement: Curved and straight lines of tesserae form the design elements. The background of the elements is arranged in straight parallel lines, except for the background of the menorah and the inscription. Most tesserae are rectangular in shape although some are irregular especially in the areas of the lulav bundle and the inscription. The panel is surrounded by three straight parallel lines of white tesserae. Outlines: Each element and its outlines are in the same color except for the menorah and lulav, whose outlines are colored darker.
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
7-7.5 cm (letters of the inscription)
Length
Width
91.00 cm (panel)
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
The panel is in good condition although a short line of tesserae in missing from the first line of the inscription.
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
According to A. Kloner, the Sanctuary implements panel may indicate that the wine press belonged to Jews who produced kosher wine in the region.
Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
The mosaic panel was removed for preservation and restoration.
Bibliography
רוט-גרסון, ל., הכתובות היווניות מבתי הכנסת בארץ ישראל, ירושלים, תשמ"ז, עמ' 45-75. קלונר, ע., המבנה והמתקנים בחולדה ותפקודם כגת, מתוך: אדם ואדמה בארץ ישראל הקדומה )עורכים אופנהיימר ואחרים(, ירושלים, תשמ"ו, עמ' 791-802. Avi-Yonah, M., Various Synagogal Remains, Bulletin Rabinowitz III (1960), pp.57-60, pl.XII; Ovadia, R., and A., Hellenistic, Roman and Early Byzantine Mosaic Pavements in Israel, L'Erma, Rome, pg. 73, LXXXIX;
Short Name
Full Name
Volume
Page
Type
Documenter
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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.
071115