Obj. ID: 35929  Tefillin case, Vienna, 1867-1872

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

The custom of using silver boxes in which to store the Tefilin was unique to Galicia, at least before 1850.  There are several dozen examples of this object in collections around the world, many of them marked with the silver marks of Lemberg. As the massive migration of Jews from Galicia came to Vienna, it is only natural that the objects with which they were familiar should begin to appear in that city. Included in the movement of people into Vienna were several Hassidic courts, particularly of the Ruzhiner dynasty. The impressive size of this pair of extremely large boxes was reserved for use by Admorim, prominent Hassidic rabbis. Generally, they were the only people who used such large Tefilin.  These have a name on the bottom of each of the pair using the mother's name, recalling another Hassidic custom. The name is Zeev Yehudah ben Miriam.  It would appear that a Hassid gave these to his Admori, who would then see the gifter's name every morning and remember him for a blessing.