Mid-20th Century Siddur with Silver Book Binding by Bezalel School Jerusalem

Sterling Silver book binding with the original Siddur by Bezalel school, Jerusalem, Israel, circa 1950.

On the front binding is a medallion showing Moses carrying the Tablets of the Law. Curving vine twigs and clusters of grapes are etched all around with two large silver filigree beads on upper section of the cover. Title on the spine "Siddur" (Hebrew). The back binding is etched with curving vine twigs and clusters of grapes and decorated with four large silver filigree beads. The clap is etched in Hebrew "Bezalel Jerusalem".

"Then the Lord said to Moses, See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all manner of workmanship - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts." (Exodus 31, 1-5).

Established in 1906 by artist Boris Schatz as the “Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts”, Bezalel has evolved into one of the world's most prestigious art schools.

The name Bezalel is synonymous with more than 100 years of Israeli art, innovation and academic excellence. Bezalel’s unique strength stems from the numerous breakthroughs it has been responsible for and its ability to respond and adapt to cultural changes. It takes pride in its numerous generations of graduates, the spearhead of Israeli artists, designers and architects, in Israel and around the globe.

The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design is, first and foremost, a group of talented, inspired and motivated artists and professionals. Both faculty and students are driven by a passion to create and by their dedication to quality and excellence.