Seven Species Mezuzah Case - 92.5 Sterling Silver Face & Mahogany Sides & Back

Description

Seven Species Mezuzah Case
- designed and executed by Maurice Mousseri.
-  92.5 Sterling Silver Face  and
Mahogany back and sides.
13 x 2.4 cm in size. Condition is NEW. The unique magnetic application system allows for the uninterupted face. The sterling silver has a tarnish resistant
coating. Scroll (Klaf) is NOT included. This mezuzah will take an 8 to 10 cm Klaf. Individually packaged in it's own gift box. Ideal gift for Weddings or house warming gifts. Other designs are available and are listed here. Purchase of 2 or more Mezuzahs at the same time for shipment to the same address will be combined and the shipping charges reduced to reflect the savings in handling, packaging materials, and postage.
Shipped via USPS to the contiguous 48 States at a flat rate of .50 each
. Shipment elsewhere is extra.
Maurice, a third generation descendant of Jewish Damacene craftsman, was the last to produce inlaid decorative metalwork in Syria, when in 1992 he, was "allowed to leave Syria by President Assad". He left Damacas and fled to the United States. In 1994 he emigrated to Israel where he designed and produced fine works of Judaica using the fine art form and techniques passed down to him by his ancestors, reflecting not only his Sepharaic background but traditional Ashkanazic designs as well.
In the 19th century all artistic metal work in Syria was produced by Jews. The turn of the 20th century is considered the latter day golden age of inlaid metalwork in Syria. At that time, the most renowned company specializing in this work was the Cooperative Oriental owned by Maurice's maternal grandfather, Mousa Metta.A competing company, owned by a Christian named Na'san, employed Jewish craftsmen for the brainwork, Muslims for their turned wood, and Christians for inlaid woodwork.
Maurice's father, Ziyyon (b 1909) began learning his craft at age eight when he started at the Na'san Company. He left Na'san at age  16 and started his own design and manufacturing operations 1925. In the mid 1930's, the Cooperative Oriental went bankrupt and Ziyyon Mousseri hired some of these men and women to grow his company. In 1965, Maurice started working with his father. Ziyyon Mousseri died in 1977, leaving a heritage of exquisite designs and quality workmanship. Maurice was the natural heir to this business.
In 1979, Maurice decided to try to leave Syria and locked the store, and with his family tried to cross the border to Israel. They were arrested at the Lebanese border and maurice was imprisoned for 55 day. After release, Maurice returned to Damascus and resumed his craft.
His products were in considerable demand, not only in Syria, but the rest of the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia and was sold to royal houses, wealthy individuals, hotel chains and mosques.
All of the production was only available to Muslim clients. However in 1980, in memory of his father, Maurice wrought the two-winged brass entrance doors of the Damascus Al-Ifraj (European's) synagogue, whose outer face was inlaid with silver. The top of the entrance is shaped like a Torah Crown. Each wing of the door has three panels, each containing a different Hebrew design. The side of the entrance also has a Torah Crown, but of a different form, with the word Ziyyon - Zion in bold Hebrew letters in the center. This inscription is to commemorate and honor Maurice's father - Ziyyon.
Today all of Maurice's designs Judacia art pieces contain the inscription Zion in honor of his father.
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