Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
$200.00 USD

This is an authentic, highly collectible early 20th-century Jewish prayer book (Siddur) featuring a hand-finished olive wood binding originating from the historic artisanal trade of Jerusalem.

The front cover is crafted from solid, beautifully grained olive wood panels with elegantly beveled edges. Centered on the front cover within an arched architectural frame is a hand-painted vignette depicting Rachel's Tomb (קבר רחל) in Bethlehem, flanked by a prominent ancient olive tree. Beneath the illustration, the title "Siddur Tefillah" (סדור תפלה) is deeply crisp and hand-inked in a classic Hebrew block script.

The reverse cover displays a distinct, high-contrast wood grain orientation and features a stamped, central diamond-shaped mandate hallmark reading "Bezalel Jerusalem" (בצלאל ירושלם) surrounded by an intricate, geometric filigree accent. The spine is bound in its original textured brown cloth/faux-leather material, heavily embossed with intricate Art Nouveau-style foliate borders, grape clusters, and the gilt-stamped Hebrew title Siddur Korban Mincha / Rav Peninim.

Internally, the title page confirms this is the complete Korban Mincha / Rav Peninim edition following the Nusach Sefard rite, published in Jerusalem by the esteemed house of R' Mendel Friedman and Partner in the Hebrew year תרצ"ה (1935). The volume is notably thick, traditional for this compilation, and includes the standard prayers alongside Yiddish commentary and directives intended historically for the household.

Item Specifications

  • Object: Jewish Daily & Festival Prayer Book (Siddur / סדור תפלה)

  • Text/Liturgical Rite: Siddur Korban Mincha / Rav Peninim (סדור קרבן מנחה / רב פנינים השלם), Nusach Sefard (נוסח ספרד)

  • Publisher: R' Mendel Friedman & Partner (ר' מנדל פרידמן ושותפו), Jerusalem

  • Year of Publication: Hebrew Date תרצ"ה (5695), corresponding to 1935

  • Cover Workshop: Bezalel Workshop / Bezalel Style, Jerusalem (c. 1920s–1930s)

  • Materials: Carved and Beveled Olive Wood (Olea europaea), Faux-Leather/Cloth Spine with Embossed Gilt Foliate and Grape Cluster Decoration, Enamel Paint, Lettering Inks.

  • Dimensions: Approx. 4.75" x 6.75" x 2.0" (12 cm x 17 cm x 5 cm)

  • Language: Hebrew with integrated Yiddish instructions/translations

Condition Report

  • Binding & Covers: Excellent as-found vintage condition. The olive wood panels have an untouched, rich original patina with light surface handling marks and minor hairline surface checking consistent with aged timber. There is a small, natural wood knot/split stabilization near the lower edge of the front panel text, which is a structural characteristic of the original wood slice and not post-market damage.

  • Spine & Edges: The original embossed spine shows typical shelf wear and fraying at the head and foot of the backstrip, but remains structurally intact and firmly attached.

  • Interior Pages: The text block is complete. Pages show natural age-toning and light handling browning at the edges, typical for 1930s regional paper stock. The binding remains tight and stable, without detached leaves. The geometric, woven-pattern endpapers are clean and intact.

Reference

  • Book Title: Bezalel Jerusalem: 1906–1929

  • Author/Editor: Nurit Shilo-Cohen / The Israel Museum

  • Page Reference: See pages 234–241 (Section covering the "Department of Wood Carving and Olive-Wood Work"), which outlines the specific development of carved, inked, and hand-painted souvenir religious articles featuring major holy sites such as Rachel's Tomb and the Western Wall during the early decades of the 20th century.

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Item Description and Condition Disclaimer

We take great care in researching, identifying, and describing each antique item to the best of our ability, drawing on available resources and hands-on examination. However, as dedicated enthusiasts rather than professional appraisers or certified experts, we cannot offer guarantees on authenticity, age, origin, or precise valuation. We strongly recommend that buyers perform their own due diligence, including consulting reference materials or experts, and thoroughly examine the accompanying photographs. These images are an essential component of our listing and depict the item's actual condition, including any visible flaws, wear, or imperfections consistent with its antique nature. It is the buyer's responsibility to inspect each lot and form their own assessment on condition, description and authenticity before purchasing. All items have signs of wear commensurate with age and usage. The lack of statement regarding condition does not imply that the item is in perfect condition or free from any and all defects. If you have any questions regarding the condition of the items, please ask and we will be more than happy to answer and/or provide additional photos as requested.

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Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
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  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb
  • Antique Bezalel Olive Wood Siddur Jewish Prayer Book Jerusalem c1920 Rachel’s Tomb

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