Vintage Pal-Bell Israel Brass Rabbi Blowing Shofar Plate Scalloped Wall Plaque

Details

Description

A notable piece of early Israeli decorative art by the iconic Pal-Bell foundry. The dish features a scalloped/crimped hand-hammered style … Read more A notable piece of early Israeli decorative art by the iconic Pal-Bell foundry. The dish features a scalloped/crimped hand-hammered style outer rim and a deep verdigris teal-green patinated basin. Centered within the dish is a heavily cast, high-relief brass medallion depicting a bearded elder/Rabbi wrapped in a Tallit blowing the Shofar, set before the Holy Temple with a Menorah motif on the roof.

The reverse features Pal-Bell's factory keyhole hanging mount for wall presentation, lathe-tooled concentric finishing, and clear factory incised markings: the Pal-Bell symbol mark, PAL-BELL CO., MADE IN ISRAEL, and Hebrew תוצרת ישראל.

Item Specifics
Item: Mid-Century Modern Israeli Modernist JudaiCa Wall Plate / Hanging Dish

Maker: Pal-Bell Co. (Designed under the direction of Maurice Ascalon)

Origin: Israel

Period: Circa 1948–1954 (Early Statehood Period)

Material: Cast Brass with Hand-Applied Verdigris / Bronzed Chemical Patina

Dimensions: 7.5 inches (19.0 cm) Diameter

Reference
Reference: Pal-Bell: Fine Judaica and Decorative Metalwork 1939–1956 by Yaniv Ben-Or (or cross-referenced in Israeliana: Decorative Arts of the Early State).
Details: Pal-Bell catalog models from the late 1940s and early 1950s prominently document the 7.5" scalloped rim dish series utilizing interchangeable central Biblical motifs (including the Rabbi with Shofar, Tribe of Judah, and Spies with Grapes).

Authenticity Assessment

This piece is 1948–1954 authentic Pal-Bell production based on three crucial manufacturing markers:

Markings: The incised stamp displays the crisp oval Pal-Bell emblem with dual English and Hebrew provenance lines (MADE IN ISRAEL / תוצרת ישראל).

Construction Techniques: The two-piece assembly (solid cast relief medallion joined to the spun/lathe-turned basin with an integrated heavy keyhole reverse cap) is signature Pal-Bell metalworking.

Finish: The distinctive chemical verdigris blue-green wash in the basin paired with bronzed highlights on the central medallion cannot be replicated by modern age-patination kits or cast reproductions, which typically feature flat single-tone finishes or modern cold-cast resin/brass blends.
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Design Significance & Provenance:
Designed during the foundational early statehood period of Israeli decorative arts under the direction of Maurice Ascalon (co-founder of Pal-Bell), this piece exemplifies the Mid-Century Modernist revival of biblical iconography in brass metalwork. The integration of relief sculpture with hand-finished verdigris oxidation makes it a classic piece of Israeli brutalist/modernist metal art.

Curator’s Note:
A striking mid-century accent dish that bridges historical narrative with sculptural surface depth. The contrast between the rich, verdigris-patinated basin and the warm brass highlights of the central Rabbi relief provides outstanding visual texture for gallery walls, styled bookshelves, or curated Judaica displays. See less