Jewish circumcision (brit milah) – Bernard Picart, 1725

“Instrumens qui servant à la circoncision” [Instruments used for circumcision], copper engraving made by Bernard Picart in 1725 for Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde. Coloured by a later hand. Plate size: 32 × 21 cm.

The illustration shows what’s necessary for a Jewish circumcision (brit milah):

In the upper part the following objects are depicted:

1. A small dish in which the bandages lie.

2. Another dish containing a little sand, in which the foreskin is placed.

3. A bandage.

4. A small bottle containing the astringent powders.

5. The knife used for the circumcision.

6. The instrument used to hold the foreskin.

7. A bandage used to wrap the dressings.

8. A small silver rod on which the foreskin is wound.

The lower part showns everything pertaining to the Books of the Law.

A. A small box containing the names of all the members of the synagogue, from which the names of seven persons are drawn to perform the reading of the Law. This box is divided into four compartments:

1. The first, marked “1,” contains the names of the Levites.

2. The second holds the names of the Levites who have already read.

3. The third contains the names of the other members of the synagogue.

4. The fourth is where the names of those already chosen are placed.

B. The Sefer Torah, or the scroll of the Law, opened.

C. The scroll of the Law, rolled up and bound with a wide band.

D. The scroll of the Law, with its ornaments.

E. The rimonim—the silver ornaments with little bells that are placed on top of both ends of the scroll.

F. A pointer with which one indicates the place to the person reading.

Price: Euro 175,-