A Rare and Monumental Micrographic Jewish Mizrah by Levi David Van Gelder (1815-1878)

(New York: Joseph Brillant and Meyer Rabinowitz, circa 1860s), lithograph, primarily in English, the sheet consisting of ninety-four (94) hand-colored vignettes depicting scenes from the Old Testament with religious text throughout. Included are two roundels, each featuring American Masonic imagery such as the familiar divider, rule and plumb. Presented behind plexiglass in a contemporary black wooden frame.

Sheet size 46 x 35 3/8 in.

Private Collection, Southern Pines, North Carolina

Acquired by the consignor from Menorah Galleries, New York

For a similar example, see Sotheby's Important Judaica, including a Distinguished Private Collection, December 19, 2018, Lot 200.

A similar example was exhibited in Edge of Visibility at the International Print Center New York, October 4 - December 19, 2018.

The Jewish mizrah is a wall plaque indicating the proper direction of prayer, which typically faces towards Jerusalem and the East.

Overall light toning with some darker paper at the top and in the lower third of the sheet; a 2 in. surface scratch at 10 o'clock and a really tiny paper loss at 2 o'clock on the right; the verso is largely intact with a few expected tape repairs. Good condition.