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Catalog Data

User:
Roth Schild, Lazurus  Search this
Physical Description:
skin, leather (overall material)
glass (beads material)
Measurements:
overall: 6 3/4 in x 6 3/8 in; 17.145 cm x 16.1925 cm
Object Name:
bag
Place Made:
Germany
Date made:
ca 1810 - 1825
Description:
When traveling a long distance, one often must travel light. This small prayer bag, used to hold a Jewish prayer book, was the choice of one German immigrant. The drawstring leather pouch, measuring 6-3/4" x 6-3/8", is covered with multicolored beadwork in floral and geometric patterns and bears the initials "L.R.S.," for Lazarus Roth Schild. The bag was made for him as an engagement present between 1810 and1825, then given to his son, about to depart for St. Louis, Missouri. Like many immigrants to America from the 1830s to the mid-19th century, the owner of this prayer bag had no choice but to leave his country of origin. He wanted to marry, but in some German municipalities, no Jews were allowed to marry unless there was proof that another Jewish community member had died. Other regions had laws requiring that Jewish families keep a Matrikel, or list of "all legally permitted families," and prohibited others from living there. One German publication noted in 1839 that the laws "make it little short of impossible for young Israelites to set up housekeeping in Bavaria; often their head is adorned with gray hair before they receive permission to set up house and can, therefore, think of marriage."
Location:
Currently not on view
Subject:
Judaism  Search this
Immigration  Search this
Prayer  Search this
Family  Search this
Weddings  Search this
Related Publication:
Grossman, Grace Cohen, with Richard Eighme Ahlborn. Judaica at the Smithsonian: Cultural Politics as Cultural Model
Myers, Susan H.. The Promise of a New Life: Jewish Immigrants in America, 1820-1880
Credit Line:
Gift of Louis S. Rothschild
ID Number:
CL.61.0367
Accession number:
235938
Catalog number:
61.0367
See more items in:
Home and Community Life: Religion
Religion
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-1107-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1166730