Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
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The Invisible Museum project started with a multi-year
exploration of the Moroccan holdings at The Magnes.
Theresulting exhibition offers a probing insight into
how cultural objectsonce the cherished belongings of
individuals, families, and communitiesmay be abandoned
in the process of migration or sold by immigrants seeking
torebuild their lives in a new land before they become part
of a museumcollection.
~Francesco Spagnolo
CASE A
VISUAL LANDSCAPES OF
MAGHREBICULTURE
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ABANDONED MOROCCAN SYNAGOGUES
PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAVIDR. COWLES
CASE B
6 7
10. Memorial lamp (kandil)
Morocco, ca. 1900
Brass
Gift of Seymour Fromer, 71.2
14. Torah pointer with feline paw at tip MODERN EFFECTS: DECORATED PRAYER
Morocco, 19th century
Brass SHAWL BAGS FOR THE BAR MITZVAH
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 71.4
Until the 1930s, the Bar Mitzvah ceremony was celebrated
15. Torah pointer with floral motif by Moroccan families when a boy reached age ten or eleven.
Morocco, 19th century In the 20th century, through the modernizing influences
Brass, copper and silver plate with leather strap of colonial French Jewish organization, especially the
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 71.5 educational initiatives of the Alliance Isralite Universelle,
the celebration was held closer to age thirteen, sometimes
16. Shofar
with a festive gathering held six months before a boys
Morocco, n.d.
birthday. The Bar Mitzvah boy would recite parts of his
Horn
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, Bernard Kimmel collection, speech before the Rabbi and family guests, and the parents
68.10 would commission a red or green velvet bag to hold the
prayer shawl, decorated with the childs name in gold or
silver threads. Emphasis would be placed on wearing tefillin
(phylacteries). Accordingly, the celebration would take place
on a Monday or Thursday, rather than on the Sabbath. In
parts of North Africa, the coming of age also signified a time
when a boy could start to work, or an opportunity to have his
first cigarette.
10 11
CASE D
HANUKKAH LAMPS
1. Hanukkah lamp
Tangiers, Morocco, ca. 1900
Brass
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 75.287.2
2. Hanukkah lamp
Morocco, ca. 1950
Silver
The Peachy and Mark Levy Family Judaica collection, 2015.6.86
3. Hanukkah lamp
Morocco, 18th century
Brass
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 75.0.10
4. Hanukkah lamp
Tangier, Morocco, ca. 1920
Brass with copper rivets
75.0.3
5. Hanukkah lamp
[Fez], Morocco, ca. 1920
Silver
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 83.46
6. Hanukkah lamp
Morocco, ca. 1900
Brass
75.0.8
12 13
CASE E
AMULETS
2. Mezuzah cover
Ttouan, Morocco, 20th century
Velvet over paperboard with goldwork and silverwork
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.19
14 15
PERSONAL PROTECTION: THE CHAMSA
16 17
DRAWER ONE 2. Arthur Leipzig (19182014, United States)
Wedding Casablanca, Morocco, 1981
MAGIC United States, Womens American ORT, n.d.
Offset lithograph
[shaar ha-ahavot] Gift of Karen Flanders, 92.63.8
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic
Morocco, n.d. (20th century) 3. Marcelin Flandrin (18891957, Algeria and Morocco)
Ink on paper, bound with paper covered card and cotton twine Morocco Jewish grocery, ca. 1935
Morocco Ms. 21.1
Jerusalem, The Israel Museum, 1984
Manuscript containing amulets and folk recipes concerning Offset lithograph
the protection of households, erotic magic, fertility, and Gift of Alice Prager, 92.74.1
medical remedies; Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, 20th century.
4. Flix-Jacques Moulin (18021875, France)
DRAWER TWO Jewish women from Ttouan, ca. 1875
Jerusalem, The Israel Museum, 1984
Offset lithograph
ESTHER SCROLLS Gift of Alice Prager, 92.74.5
DRAWER THREE
1. Arthur Leipzig (19182014, United States) Old Age Home Casablanca, Morocco, 1981 (No. 1)
18 19
CHARLES MICHAEL GALLERY
20 21
On display during Spring 2018 JEWISH LIFE IN TEXTILES
5. Ketubbah (marriage contract) for Yehudah ben Avraham Childs vest for festivals and celebrations
Aviqatzitz [Abecassis] and Lidisiya [Letitia] bat Avraham Fez, Morocco, ca. 1920
Nahon Silk and cotton velvet with goldwork; lined with linen
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 75.249
Hebrew, Aramaic
Ttouan, Morocco, Wednesday, June 6, 1838
Ink, and pigment on parchment
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 71.0.4 3. The Groom
6. Ketubbah (marriage contract) for Yosef ben Avraham Grooms robe
Gabizon and Simchah bat Yitzchaq Khalfon [Halfon]
Morocco, 20th century
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Judeo-Spanish Wool with corded silk embellishment
Ttouan, Morocco, Wednesday, June 2, 1886 Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, Zaleznik collection, 78.4.49
Ink, pigment and silver leaf on paper
Bernard Kimmel collection, 2009.18.2
4. Bridal shoes
22 23
5. Bridal dress
a. Bodice
Tangiers, Morocco, 19th century
Silk and linen brocade with goldwork, lined with silk and linen
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, Zaleznik collection, 78.4.22a
b. Modesty panel
Tangiers, Morocco, 20th century
Silk and cotton velvet with gold work on linen backing
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, Zaleznik collection, 78.4.25
c. Skirt
Tangiers, Morocco, 19th century
Silk taffeta with goldwork, lined with printed cotton
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, Zaleznik collection, 78.4.22b
a. Grooms vest
Ttouan, Morocco, 20th century
Silk and cotton velvet with gold work on lined with silk and linen
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 75.183.41
Grooms vest (No. 6a)
b. Torah mantle donated by Simchah bat Yaaqov Qaro in
memory of Zahra and David Qaro [Caro]
Tangiers, Morocco, 28 Tammuz [5]689 (August 5, 1929)
Silk and cotton velvet with gold work on lined with silk brocade
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 75.183.350 (on display during
Fall 2017)
a. Cantors hat
United States, Adam Hats Corporation, 20th century
Silk
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, Zaleznik collection, 78.4.66
a. Bodice
Ttouan, Morocco, 20th century
Cotton and silk velvet, goldwork, cotton and silk lining
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 75.183.30a
b. Modesty panel
Morocco, 20th century
Cotton and silk velvet and goldwork;
lined with linen
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase,
Zaleznik Collection, 75.183.166b
c. Belt
Morocco, 20th century
Hardwoven cotton, silver belt loop
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase,
75.183.357
d. Skirt
Ttouan, Morocco, 20th century
Cotton and silk velvet, goldwork, cotton and
silklining
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase, 75.183.30b
9. Bridal dress
a. Bodice
Rabat, Morocco, 20th century
Cotton and silk velvet, goldwork, cotton
and silk lining (cottonunderarm pouches
filled with plant matter)
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase,
75.183.31a
b. Modesty Panel
Rabat, Morocco, 20th century
Cotton and silk velvet, goldwork,
cotton and silk lining
Judah L. Magnes Museum
purchase, 75.183.31b
c. Belt
Morocco, 20th century
Polished cotton, silk and gold
wrapped thread
88.0.4.1
d. Skirt
Rabat, Morocco, 20th
century
Cotton and silk velvet,
goldwork, cotton and silk
lining
Judah L. Magnes
Museum purchase,
75.183.31c
26 27
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.9
1. Untitled [Jewish cemetery] 11. Untitled [Group photo at the reception for the Chief Rabbi
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century of France, Isae Schwartz, 1948]
Silver gelatin print
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 1948
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Silver gelatin print
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.1
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.12
2. Untitled [Dar al-Magana]
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century 12. Maman Abouhsira, Fez
Silver gelatin print
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Silver gelatin print
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.2
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.13
3. Untitled [Family group]
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century 13. Untitled [Family portrait]
Silver gelatin print
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Silver gelatin print
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.4
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.14
4. Joseph Bouhsira (18901943)
Chef de la Hebra Kadisha Mr. Ham Halevy, 19171940 14. Untitled [Family portrait]
(Head of the Burial Society, Mr. Haim Halevy, 19171940) Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century Silver gelatin print
Silver gelatin print Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.15
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.5
15. Untitled [Hebrew school classroom]
5. Untitled [Purim parade] Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century Silver gelatin print
Silver gelatin print Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.16
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.6
16. Untitled [Street parade for Simchat Torah or Synagogue
6. Untitled [Youth performance] Inauguration]
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Silver gelatin print Silver gelatin print
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.7 Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.17
7. Joseph Bouhsira (18901943) 17. Untitled [Group photo for Bar Mitzvah celebration]
Rab Vidal Hassarfati [(V), 18621921, Chief Rabbi of Fez] Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 1943
Silver gelatin print
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Silver gelatin print
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.18
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.8
18. Cohen & Diaz
8. Untitled [Funeral Procession] Rabbi Salomon Aben Danan (18471928), President of the
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century Rabbinic Tribunal of Fez [Photographic reproduction]
Silver gelatin print Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by Silver gelatin print
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
28 Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.19 29
19. Untitled [Wedding]
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Silver gelatin print
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.20
22. Untitled [Shammash by open Torah Ark at Em ha-banim 29. Untitled [Morning prayers at Em ha-banim synagogue]
synagogue]
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century Silver gelatin print
Silver gelatin print Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.31
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.23a
30. Untitled [Group portrait featuring Jewish clergy, with
23. Untitled [Portrait of elderly man] French flags in background]
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Silver gelatin print
Silver gelatin print
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.24
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.32
24. Untitled [Portrait of elderly man] 31. Untitled [Group portrait featuring Jewish clergy]
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Silver gelatin print
Silver gelatin print
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.25
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.33
25. Untitled [Simchat Torah] 32. Untitled [Group portrait featuring young women seated on
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century floor with tea]
Silver gelatin print
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Silver gelatin print
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.26
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
26. Untitled [Rabbis Yosseph Abihsira, Sahdia Monsonego, Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.34
Maimon Miyara]
Fez, Morocco, Studio ABC, 20th century
Silver gelatin print
Judah L. Magnes Museum purchase with funds provided by
Dr.Elliot Zaleznik, 78.4.46.28