Obj. ID: 36252  Book Binding, San'a, 1937

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

The box binding was a traditional way of binding manuscripts in Islamic countries, including Yemen.  While its use declined even in the 19th century, this box binding from 1937 harks back to that tradition.  The painted cloth on the binding is something which was used on Torah Tiks as well, as evidenced by such a Torah Tik in the collection of the Spertus Museum in Chicago.  The delicate corner pieces, hinges, and lock, crafted as fine pieces of jewelry, were made by the finest of Sana’a Jewish silversmiths.  The manuscript inside is a prayer book done in the same year by the finest of contemporary Jewish scribes, Shalom Karach. The manuscript and binding were made for a member of the Badichi family, among the wealthiest and most prominent members of the Sana’a community of that time.