This antique copper tray is anchored by a bold six-pointed star (Magen David – מגן דוד) at its center, interlaced with arabesque motifs that create a sense of eternal balance and unity. The star radiates outward as both a geometric anchor and a spiritual symbol, its symmetry embodying divine order at the heart of worldly complexity. Around it, finely engraved fish motifs swim in a continuous ring, symbols of abundance, sustenance, and the eternal cycles of life.
The outer design blossoms with Jewish and Near Eastern symbols: lions stride as guardians of strength and majesty, crowns rise as emblems of sovereignty and triumph, menorah-like candelabras (شمعدان – shamʿadān) shine as lights of faith, while fruits, plants, and banners evoke prosperity and celebration. The engravings unite sacred and worldly motifs, forming a visual tapestry of cosmic harmony and earthly power.
Jewish Symbolism
- Fish (דגים – dagim): Represent water, life, and divine blessing. Their circular placement also recalls the Jewish practice of abstaining from fishing on the Sabbath, symbolizing respect for sacred time.
- Curtains & Crowns: Flowing drapery around the crowns suggests divine throne imagery, while the crowns themselves echo both royal and heavenly sovereignty.
- Inscribed Words: At points in the design, Hebrew words of invocation, such as Eliyahu (אליהו, Elijah) and references to God (Adonai), appear, weaving prayer into ornament.
- Menorah / Shamʿadān (שַׁמְעַדָן): The candelabra, a central Jewish symbol of light, is rendered with surrounding vines, echoing spiritual illumination.
- Agricultural Motifs (Carrots, Fruits, Leaves): Signify sustenance, fertility, and the blessing of life upon the land.
Artistic Details
- Interlaced Arabesques: The star’s geometry is softened by arabesque vines (زخارف نباتية – zakhārif nabātiyya), a hallmark of Egyptian craftsmanship, here adapted into a Judaic context.
- Lions (אריות – arayot): Not only symbols of power, but also resonant with the Lion of Judah, a biblical emblem of leadership and divine authority.
- Cosmic Composition: The six-pointed star as heaven’s order, fish as the waters of creation, menorahs as divine light, and crowns as sovereignty, all framed together in balance.
Interpretation
This tray is a rare example of Egyptian Jewish ceremonial artistry, blending Islamic-Mamluk arabesques with Judaic symbols. At its heart, the Star of David unites heaven and earth, while lions, menorahs, and crowns declare divine blessing, justice, and triumph. Fish recall life’s abundance and sacred rest, while vines and fruits affirm prosperity. Together, the tray becomes a cosmic proclamation of faith, power, and harmony, where Jewish devotion and Egyptian craftsmanship converge into a masterpiece of cultural symbiosis.
