AUCTION 50: ANTIQUE MILITARIA, FALL 2024

A JUDAICA FOLDING SHABBAT CHALLAH KNIFE, EARLY 20TH CENTURY

The auction will start in __ days and __ hours

Start price: $100

Estimated price: $200 - $300

Buyer's premium:

An unusual folding knife with mother-of-pearl grip plates, which has been inscribed with the Hebrew phrase ‘Shabbat Kodesh’ meaning ‘Holy Sabbath’. Knives with this inscription are used to ritualistically cut a loaf of challah on the Sabbath after the ‘Hamotzi’ blessing, but it is very rare to find a folding version. This example appears similar to others that were made in the 1920s-1930s in the town of Karlovy Vary (aka Karlsbad) in Czechia.

Czechia, Early 20th Century.

Unfolded: 9 1/2 in., (24.1 cm.)

Condition: Mechanism functions well. Blade is in good condition. Mother of pearl in near-perfect condition. Some encrustation in the inscription. Minor pitting/staining on metal fixtures.