White porcelain figurine of a Jewish money changer in a gold striped vest

Identifier
irn545082
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2016.184.625
Level of Description
Item
Source
EHRI Partner

Extent and Medium

overall: Height: 7.000 inches (17.78 cm) | Width: 3.000 inches (7.62 cm) | Depth: 3.250 inches (8.255 cm)

Creator(s)

Biographical History

The Katz Ehrenthal Collection is a collection of more than 900 objects depicting Jews and antisemitic and anti-Jewish propaganda from the medieval to the modern era, in Europe, Russia, and the United States. The collection was amassed by Peter Ehrenthal, a Romanian Holocaust survivor, to document the pervasive history of anti-Jewish hatred in Western art, politics and popular culture. It includes crude folk art as well as pieces created by Europe's finest craftsmen, prints and periodical illustrations, posters, paintings, decorative art, and toys and everyday household items decorated with depictions of stereotypical Jewish figures.

Archival History

The figurine was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2016 by the Katz Family.

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of the Katz Family

Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

Scope and Content

Rockingham porcelain figurine of a Jewish money changer made in approximately 1820. He has a large nose and a long beard, both of which are stereotypical physical features commonly attributed to Jewish men. The Rockingham Works pottery factory was located in Swinton, England, on the estate of the Marquess of Rockingham. The factory produced a range of earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain pieces including tableware, figurines, and other decorative pieces. Money changers exchanged foreign coins or currency for those used locally. Many antisemitic depictions of Jews show them hoarding, counting, or handling money. These stereotypes originated from the economic and professional restrictions placed on early European Jews. They were barred from owning land, farming, joining trade guilds, and military service. These restrictions forced many Jews into occupations such as money changing or money lending. Additionally, medieval religious belief held that charging interest (known as usury) was sinful, and the Jews who occupied these professions were looked down upon, predominantly by European Christians. They were perceived as morally deficient, greedy, and willing to engage in unethical business practices. Jews’ inability to legally hold other occupations, combined with Christians’ disdain for the professions Jews were allowed to practice, helped form the canard of the greedy Jew who exploited Gentiles. This canard was often visually depicted as a Jewish man expressing an exaggerated desire for, or counting money. This figurine is one of the 900 items in the Katz Ehrenthal Collection of antisemitic artifacts and visual materials.

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

No restrictions on use

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Colored and glazed porcelain figurine of a Jewish man in a three-piece white suit with gold-colored trim at the cuffs, on his vest and on his lapels and buttons. The vest is decorated with a gold-colored, striped pattern. The man is also wearing a white top hat, black shoes, yellow socks, and a knee-length brown jacket with a short cape. He has a large nose, long gray hair, and a long, full, gray beard. His right hand is extended, holding a rolled piece of paper. He holds a red box tucked against his waist, under his left arm, and grips a cylindrical object, possibly a coin roll, in his left hand. He stands upon a raised, oval-shaped pedestal. The figurine is discolored throughout, with several small, dirty accretions on the front, especially on the pedestal.

Subjects

Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.