Shofar
Date1700 ca.
Place MadePoland, Europe
Serial No.none
SignednoneMarkingsKabbalistic text carved on both sides, translated: The essence of the blowing of [the] shofar is to awaken the merit of the binding. And the count is as follows: Abraham together with Isaac amount to the word [6+5+4=15], which equals the name of God [5+10=15]. The Tervah amounts to 24 in front and afterward two straight sounds twice Tekiah, amount to the word [36]. [2+4] amounts to 6 and the [6+3] equals 9, together it amounts to God's name [5+10=15]. And therefore in order to sweeten the judgments of the fear of Isaac we combine the merit of Jacob the complete one since he completes the name of 4 letters which is in the likeness of the whole one, Jacob, which comes to 182 numerically. This is an indication of the statement and the binding of Isaac to the seed of Jacob, with mercy remember.
DescriptionCarved and incised ram's horn; straightened and flattened; perforated decoration at bell end.
Shofars--the only ancient Jewish instrument that survived the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans (AD 70)--are signal instruments used for both liturgical and secular purposes. Sounding the shofar is one of the traditions observed during the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, among other feast days.
DimensionsSounding length: 365 mm
Width: ca. 20-59 mm
Thickness: ca. 13-22 mm
Internal diameter at mouth-hole: ca 15 x 7 mm
ProvenanceBy 1975, formerly in the collection of Carol Geller, Vienna, Austria. Sold by his widow to Moriah Art Craft, Inc., New York, New York, 1978, and subsequently sold to the National Music Museum.
Published References"Rare Jewish Instrument Acquired," The Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter 5, No. 2 (April 1978), p. 4. American Musical Instrument Society Newsletter, (1978), p. 3.
Credit LinePurchase funds gift of Nate and Margaret Hurowitz, 1990
Object number02369
On View
On view
1990 ca.
1985-1999 ca.
1880-1899 ca.
1960 ca.