Museum-Grade Kabbalistic Assemblage: 18thC Inscribed Healing Mortar, Agla Amulet Tray & Travel Shabbat Candlesticks

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This extraordinary curated assembly represents the pinnacle of Jewish Teurgic Art—objects designed not merely for ritual, but for the active … Read more This extraordinary curated assembly represents the pinnacle of Jewish Teurgic Art—objects designed not merely for ritual, but for the active invocation of divine influence (Shefa). This museum-quality set bridges the gap between Sephardic folk medicine and the mystical Ashkenazi "Higher Light" traditions of the 18th and 19th centuries.

I. The "Tahar" Mehraz: 18th-Century Inscribed Bronze Healing Mortar A classic Moroccan/Maghrebi "ribbed" mortar with 8 protruding fins. The recessed panels between the ribs feature hand-chiseled Hebrew inscriptions used for medicinal and protective compounding.

Inscriptions: רפא (Refuah - Heal), רחמי (Rachami - My Mercy), (Tahar - Purity) and יה (Divine Name).

This heavy-cast bronze Moroccan mortar is a rare surviving tool of a Jewish Ba'al Shem (folk healer). In the context of the 18th-century Maghreb, this inscription signifies that the vessel was maintained under strict laws of ritual purity for the compounding of sacred oils or "pure" medicinal herbs. The eight vertical "fins" and the deep, mineralized interior residue confirm over two centuries of functional use in a ritual-medical context.

2. Late 19th Century Travel Shabbat Candlesticks (Eastern Europe) A pair of solid brass "low-boy" chambersticks designed for the Jewish traveler.

Engraving: Professional calligraphic inscription: “Orot Ma’aleh Yizrachu.”

Construction: Features uniform late-industrial threading and integrated wide drip pans for stability.

These solid brass travel candlesticks are elevated by a rare poetic engraving: "אורות מעלה יזרחו" (Orot Ma’aleh Yizrachu — "Higher Lights Shall Shine").
This phrase is a direct reference to Kabbalistic Liturgy, specifically the belief that the physical flame of the Shabbat candles acts as a vessel for the "Higher Lights" of the spiritual realms. The professional calligraphic execution—featuring the distinctive "serifed" Reish—marks these as a bespoke commission for a family steeped in mystical tradition.

3. Early 20th Century "AGLA" Kabbalistic Amulet Tray (Germany) A specialized ritual dish made of silver-plated nickel-silver (Alpacca). The silver plate has worn to a beautiful, warm base-metal patina. It features a profound "Protection from Curses" engraving.

Center: אגלא (AGLA) - A powerful mystical acrostic for Atah Gibor Le-olam Adonai ("You are mighty forever, O Lord").

Verses: "באש רזיאל אקרא" (By the fire of Raziel I shall call) and "טהרני כל מארה" (Purify me from every curse).

Hallmarks: Stamped "G" (Maker) and "100" (German silver-plating grade).

A specialized German-made silver-plated ritual dish utilized as a secondary protective vessel. It features the AGLA (אגלא) acrostic—the shield of David’s mighty name—surrounded by an invocation of the Angel Raziel for the purification of curses (Me'arah). This piece serves as the "spiritual anchor" of the collection, designed to protect the home from metaphysical harm.

Technical Specifics & Scholarly Reference
Age: Mortar (c. 1750-1850); Tray (c. 1910-1930); Candlesticks (c. 1890-1910)

Date Range: c. 1750 (Mortar) to c. 1910 (Tray/Candles)
Origin: Morocco (Mortar), Eastern Europe/Poland (Candles), Germany (Tray)

Material: Bronze/Brass (Mortar/Candles), Silver-plated Nickel-Silver (Tray).

Dimensions:
Candles: 1.75" H x 2.25" D (100g)
Mortar: 1.4" H x 1.75" D (165g with 1.75" Pestle)
Tray: 4" W including handle (23g)

Reference: For the use of "Orot Ma'aleh" in Jewish mystical aesthetics, see: "The Tree of Life: Chayyim Vital's Introduction to the Kabbalah of Isaac Luria," translated by Donald Wilder Menzi, page 214 (referencing the descent of Higher Lights). For the "Tahar" designation in brassware, see: "Jewish Ritual Art," by Chaya Benjamin, page 142. See less