Embroidered pouch for a tallit brought to the United States by Nisson Bespaloff or a family member
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 12.000 inches (30.48 cm) | Width: 9.500 inches (24.13 cm)
Archival History
The pouch was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Musem in 2017.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection
Scope and Content
A dark blue pouch for a tallit with a decorative, wire-wrapped thread embroidery design owned by Nisson Bespaloff or another man in his extended family. The pouch was brought to the United States when the owner immigrated in the 1930s or 1940s. A tallit is a prayer shawl worn by observant Jewish men during morning services.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular, dark blue velvety, pile weave cloth carrying pouch with a top flap and a tan lining. The front is embroidered with a leafy garland design at the bottom and a crown-like element at the center. Just beneath this is a line of bars and loops that mimics Hebrew text. The design is embroidered in thread wrapped in copper-colored metal wire and silver-colored metal wire in different sections. A small, metal button is sewn to the back. The cloth is faded and the textured surface is heavily worn from use, with patches of the material’s surface now missing.
Subjects
- Tallinn (Estonia)
- Russia
- United States.
- Emigration and immigration.
- Paris (France)
Genre
- Object
- Ceremonial objects.
- Jewish Art and Symbolism