Passover Seder Plate - HAKISHUT

Israel, 1930s-1940s

In the center of this beautifully decorated brass, copper, and green patina plate is embossed the Hebrew word "פסח" - "Passover". Surrounding it are six pre-formed spaces for inserting the various symbolic Passover Seder foods; Maror, Chazeret, Charoset, Karpas, Zeroah, and Beitzah - each with a special significance to the retelling of the story of Passover - the exodus from Egypt - which is the focus of this ritual meal. The outer rim of the plate is decorated with grapes and vines. The plate is set with two decorated handles, both embossed with the Hebrew word "מצה" - "Matzah".

The notable artist and painter Yehuda Wallersteiner, born in Germany in 1915, immigrated with his family to Israel in 1934.  In their house in Bnei-Brak they established a workshop - "Hakishut Bezalel" - which produced Judaica and decorative items, amongst them Passover Seder Plates, Hanukkah Lamps and many other items made of copper with green patina - a technique which became the hallmark of the Israeli decorative metal craft. The workshop was active between the 1930s and 1950s. In the 1950s Yehuda Wallersteiner was one of the founders of the Ein-Hod Artists' Village in Israel.

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