Antique Holy Land Olive Wood Prayer Box, Jerusalem / Made in Palestine, Complete With Original Prayer Cards

Details

Description

An exceptional and highly collectible antique Holy Land olive wood prayer box, hand-crafted and marked “Jerusalem” with a secondary stamp … Read more An exceptional and highly collectible antique Holy Land olive wood prayer box, hand-crafted and marked “Jerusalem” with a secondary stamp “Made in Palestine”, dating to the British Mandate era (circa 1920s–1940s).
Carved from genuine Holy Land olive wood, this devotional box retains its original, complete set of printed prayer cards, a rare survival that significantly elevates both historical and collector value. The cards feature period typography and scripture verses, reflecting early 20th-century Christian pilgrimage traditions.
Notably, the interior bears a handwritten marking “No. 12”, suggesting small-batch or artisan workshop production rather than mass manufacture — a detail sought after by collectors of pilgrimage artifacts.
The exterior features a charming, hand-applied pastoral silhouette scene beneath the stamped “Jerusalem” mark, depicting a biblical travel motif with palm trees — a classic Holy Land souvenir iconography of the period.
This piece represents pre-1967 Palestine, making it historically distinct from later Israeli tourist items. Olive wood artifacts from this era are increasingly scarce, particularly examples that remain intact, legible, and complete.
Why This Piece Is Special
Authentic Holy Land olive wood
Dual markings: “Jerusalem” and “Made in Palestine”
Original prayer cards present (rare)
British Mandate–era production
Handwritten numbering inside (artisan indicator)
Excellent patina consistent with age
Faith, history, and craftsmanship combined in one object
Condition
Very good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. Natural patina to the olive wood surface. Prayer cards are intact and well preserved for their age. No structural damage noted. Wear is consistent with gentle devotional use and adds to authenticity.
Provenance
Private collection. Acquired intact with original contents. Believed to have been produced for Christian pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem during the British Mandate period.
Ideal For
Holy Land artifact collectors
Religious & devotional object collectors
Biblical history enthusiasts
Museum-quality private collections
Faith-based interior styling
keywords
religious, Christian, Faith, holy Land, God, Jesus, holy land, olive wood, jerusalem, prayer box, made in palestine, christian devotional, antique religious item, biblical home decor, faith based gift, prayer cards, christian collectible, pilgrimage souvenir, religious artifact, olive wood box, christian history See less