Obj. ID: 55512
Jewish printed books  Mishe-Nichnas Adar Marbin Be-Simchah, Israel/Eretz Israel, circa 1930

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

For the holiday of Purim, the scroll of the Esther story is the main object, well known and read throughout the world every year in celebration. But there exists another object as well, far less well-known. While there probably is a tradition of making by hand a page, or poster, to be hung on the wall for Purim, it is only in the 20th century that this sort of decorative sheet appeared in print, commonly referred to as an "Adar Plaque".  They generally feature the image of two fish, the Zodiac sign for Pisces, or "Mazal Dagim", representing the Jewish month of Adar, during which the Purim holiday occurs. There often appear as well visual references to wine such as grapes, wine barrels, glasses, decanters, or bottles of the drink. These items symbolize the instruction to drink and be merry in celebration of the holiday, which commemorates the redemption from a particularly planned massacre of the Jews in Persia. Such printed pages were generally printed in Central Europe or in Israel, where they were probably the tradition carried to the Holy Land by immigrants from that area of Europe.

This example is particularly colorful and filled with symbols of the holiday, including featured references to the custom of exchanging gifts and giving to the poor. There are also presented musical instruments to emphasize the gaiety of the celebration.