Vintage Pal-Bell Israel Bronze Honey Dish Twelve Tribes Maurice Ascalon Rosh Hashanah MCM Judaica

Details

Description

This piece is an authentic Mid-Century Modern (c. 1948–1956) Patinated Cast Bronze Honey Dish / Lidded Bowl manufactured by the … Read more This piece is an authentic Mid-Century Modern (c. 1948–1956) Patinated Cast Bronze Honey Dish / Lidded Bowl manufactured by the celebrated Israeli metalworks Pal-Bell Co. in Tel Aviv, Israel, and designed by co-founder Maurice Ascalon (1913–2003).

Traditionally cherished as a ceremonial vessel for the Jewish High Holidays, this piece features a domed lid relief-cast with the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Shivtei Yisrael) crests around its outer perimeter—making it a perfect, symbolic centerpiece for Rosh Hashanah tables where honey is served for a sweet new year. The interior of the bowl displays a hand-turned/lathe-spun surface finish ideal for holding honey or traditional preserves. The underside of the base is crisp-stamped in dual Hebrew and English: "PAL-BELL / פל-בל / תוצרת ישראל / MADE IN ISRAEL".

Origin: Tel Aviv, Israel

Maker / Designer: Pal-Bell Co. / Maurice Ascalon

Age / Circa: c. 1948–1956 (Mid-20th Century)

Material: Solid Cast Bronze & Turned Brass

Dimensions:
Height: 4" to top of handle
Diameter: 4.5" across rim

Authenticity Assessment
This piece meets all verified authenticity markers for mid-century Pal-Bell production:

Maker's Mark: The base features the crisp, cast-in relief double-line imprint in Hebrew (פָּל-בֶּל / תוצרת ישראל) and English (PAL-BELL / MADE IN ISRAEL).

Material & Surface Technique: Cast in heavy solid bronze rather than lightweight stamped brass or modern pot metal alloys. It exhibits Maurice Ascalon’s signature proprietary verdigris chemical patination process combined with lathe-turned highlighted edges.

Paper Label: Includes the original paper production tag on the underside showing Hebrew script and hand-inked inventory control numbers, consistent with 1950s factory distribution out of Tel Aviv.

Reference
Book Title: Modern Creations from an Ancient Land: Metal Craft and Design in the First Two Decades of Israel's Independence
Author: Nurith Kenaan-Kedar
Publisher / Year: Tel Aviv University / Yad Ben-Zvi Press, 2006
Page / Reference: Chapter 2 ("The Pal-Bell Enterprise and Maurice Ascalon"), detailing Pal-Bell's iconic Twelve Tribes motif relief castings, verdigris finishing techniques, and early Israeli decorative metalware.

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Historical Provenance & Design Significance: Designed during the formative post-independence era of Israel (c. 1948–1956) by pioneer sculptor Maurice Ascalon, founder of the Pal-Bell Co. in Tel Aviv. Ascalon infused ancient Near Eastern iconographic traditions—such as the Twelve Tribes of Israel—with clean modernist forms and striking verdigris patination, creating heirloom ritual objects intended to elevate both home and holiday traditions.

Curator's Note: "An exquisite and meaningful addition to the modern holiday table, this mid-century patinated bronze honey dish by Maurice Ascalon for Pal-Bell combines rich historical narrative with exceptional craftsmanship. Featuring a relief-molded Twelve Tribes lid and a gorgeous aged verdigris finish, it serves as a stunning focal point for Rosh Hashanah celebrations and an heirloom-quality centerpiece for high-end interior styling." See less