Rare Passover matzah chest made of oak, carved in bas-relief - Lot 53

Rare Passover matzah chest made of oak, carved in bas-relief with two fish flanking a menorah and an inscription in Hebrew characters: מצה שמורה, matzot shmura (preserved matzah); interior with a dividing panel; carved baseboard; wrought-iron hinges, lock, and side handles. Alsace, folk art, 16th century H. 74 cm - W. 171 cm - D. 62.2 cm (minor damage and loss to the top, slight restorations) Provenance: - According to the former owner, whose family was originally from Alsace, this piece has been part of the family inventory since the First Empire. The festival of Passover, considered the Jewish Passover, is celebrated in commemoration of the Exodus and lasts about a week. During this time, people eat unleavened bread called matzah or matzot in the form of flatbreads, which families keep in special boxes. This large chest features dovetail joints and a carved baseboard, linking it to a very ancient era. Given its size, it may have belonged to a wealthy household head who, as depicted in certain medieval miniatures, could distribute the bread to the poorest members of his community. It allowed for the storage of a large number of matzah cakes, thus protecting them from any impurity, particularly moisture, to prevent any risk of fermentation (fig.).