Obj. ID: 38238  Tefillin bag, Romania, circa 1915

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

This is a finely beaded example of a Tefilin bag. The beadwork was clearly done by a skilled hand. In this case, the hands were that of a Jewish male professional bead-worker. He deserted from the Austro-Hungarian army during WWI, was caught, and then placed in a prison camp. There was a Jewish guard at the camp who became his protector. At the end of the war with his release from detention, the bead-worker made this bag and an appreciation for the help of the other Jewish soldier. The family of the recipient eventually made Aliyah to Israel and brought the bag with them. Eventually, the descendants sold the object.