Obj. ID: 39375  Tallit Bag, Tangier (Tanger), circa 1880

The following description was prepared by William Gross:     

This is a very elaborately embroidered Tallit bag, which has a matching smaller bag for the Tefilin.  They are among the finest embroidered Jewish objects know from Morocco. They were made for Shelomo ben Oliel, who was a member of a well-known Tangier family, and whose name is embroidered on each of the pair of bags. He was the founder of the Alliance school in Larache and later the director of the boys school for the Alliance in Fez. It is likely that these were presented to him as a tribute by people associated with that educational enterprise. There is little evidence of use. The workmanship is quite exceptional in its richness and design. It is clear than months of work were required to produce it and its companion piece for Tifillin, also in the Gross Family Collection, 018.047.005.  Made for Shlomo bar Yehudah Benoliel, 1850 -   

Inscription:  SHELOMO BAR YEHUDAH BENOLIEL, MAY HIS LIGHT SHINE