Carpet with Herzl portrait on the balcony of the 'Three Kings' Hotel in Basel - produced by the weaving workshop of the "Torah VeMelacha" school established by the "Kol Israel Haverim" ("Alliance") organization - Jerusalem, early 20th century. Very nice condition!
A red and yellow carpet, in the shape of Turkish prayer rugs (some say it was made in Persia). In its center Herzl is seen leaning on the balcony railing of the Three Kings Hotel in Basel (as originally photographed by Ephraim Moses Lilien at the First Zionist Congress), viewing a caravan of pioneers ascending to the Tower of David on their way to Zion against the rising sun. The edges of the carpet have a plant-patterned decoration frame, with a Star of David embedded at the top.
Literature: Jewish Folk Art Through the Ages by Ali and Aliza Davis, Jerusalem 1978, p. 53.
Blue and White in Colors - Visual depictions of Zionism 1897-1947, by Rachel Arbel, page 13.
65X136 cm. Light reinforcement at the top by 3 cm rear stitching. Very nice condition!
