Gravestone of Mordecai Hezekiah Namias de Crasto (replica)

1716

Tombstone of three cherubs and central Portuguese inscription, with engraving of wilted flower, skull, hourglass, and sun, with top panel of engraving of man riding in a procession through street and Hebrew text across the middle.
In reference to the deceased’s name, the central verse fragment on this monument reads “And Mordechai came before the king . . .” (Esther 8:1), and the top panel contains a low relief of a richly clad Mordechai riding through the streets of Shushan. Three putti (cherubs) overlook a draped epitaph in Portuguese honoring the role of Mordecai Hezekiah Namias de Crasto as a treasurer and patron of the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. The gravestone’s lower section features a number of objects representing mortality and the passage of time, such as a wilted flower, a skull, a winged hourglass, and a sun.

Credits

Photo by Kent Coupe. Courtesy of the Jewish Atlantic World Database.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

Engage with this Source

You may also like

Megilat ‘efah (Scroll of Terror)

The year 5480 of the creation of the earth and heaven, in the first month, which is the month of Nisan, the wailing of the oppressed increased. For then the hooligans began to cut off and harry the…
View Source
Photograph depicting organ and circular rows of benches, with large central chandelier.
Tooltip info icon

Mainz Synagogue (Organ and Floorplan)

The august synagogue in Mainz, erected on Hindenburgstrasse in 1911–1912, included a central, circular nave with a large dome and side wings housing a weekday synagogue, community rooms, wedding hall…
View Source

Letter to My Honored Captain

My red blood is dripping, slowly flowing, My panting heart slowly calms down in peace, I lie here peacefully on a narrow stretcher, And my hazy eyes gaze into the distance. My red blood is dripping…
View Source