Jewish tin plate
 
Date of production 18th/19th century 
Place of creation Zwickau, Germany 
Dimensions height: 3.7 cm, diameter: 31.9 cm 
ID no. MCh-S/3580 
Museum Irena and Mieczysław Mazaraki Museum in Chrzanów 
Subjects multiculture, religion, at the table 
Technique engraving 
Material tin sheet 
Object copyright Irena and Mieczysław Mazaraki Museum in Chrzanów 
Digital images copyright public domain 
Digitalisation RDW MIC, Małopolska's Virtual Museums project 
Tags judaika, naczynie, szabat, święto, 3D, wielokulturowość, Żydzi, złotnictwo, zastawa stołowa, domena publiczna 
This plate could have been used on the Sabbath or, more likely, during the Purim holiday celebrated in the month of Adar, which symbol is fish, used as an decoration motif in this exhibit.
A tin plate decorated with engraved fish in the mirror and the image of two fish facing each other on the collar, between them monogram „T S” was placed. The engraving on the collar is clearly older than the engraving on the plate mirror. On its reverse, the engraving with the „T S” letters was repeated, and below it, in the middle, three punches were placed (two of which are the same), which were the signs of the Saxon town of Zwickau and master Christian Gotthold Scherfig (master since 1780).
The plate decoration in the form of an engraved image of a fish is undoubtedly linked to the separation of meat dishes from dairy dishes in the Jewish religion. They were prepared and served with the use of separate utensils. On the plate, there are visible traces of use in the form of numerous cracks and dents.
Elaborated by Anna Sadło-Ostafin (Irena and Mieczysław Mazaraki Museum in Chrzanów),editorial team of Małopolska’s Virtual Museums, © all rights reserved
Purim
One of the customs associated with the holiday Purim is sending each other gifts (mishloach manot), for which at least two portions of different delicacies are to be made. They may not require any additional treatment from the recipient; they must be suitable for immediate consumption. The most common are: cookies, fruit, grape juice, sweets, drinks, and alcohol. The gift is traditionally provided by a messenger. In the past, these types of gifts were passed on using special plates—called purim—usually made of ceramics or tin, whose mirror was usually decorated with scenes from the Book of Esther or representations of three entwined fish (meaning the constellation of Pisces in the month Adar).
On this day, generosity should be shown towards all the poor (cedaka). Fulfilling this mitzvah (matanot lewjonim) manifests itself in giving donations or presents, or funding a meal for at least two people. In this case, the dish is transferred via a middleman (szelijacha), for reasons of anonymity. Both of these commandments must be completed within one day.
Elaborated by The Irena and Mieczysław Mazaraki Museum in Chrzanów, Editorial Team of Malopolska's Virtual Museums, © all rights reserved
See: Jewish tin plate and also collection of judaica.
Tags: judaica, holy day, Jews, sabbath, vessel, © all rights reserved